Blood on the Road: Labour Union raises alarm over corporate violence in ride-hailing sector

2026-02-11 - 14:48

...Demands NIN Vetting By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has sounded the alarm over rising violence against drivers in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector, describing the killings and attacks as “corporate carnage.” Speaking in Abuja, AUATON President Damola Adeniran highlighted reports of drivers being murdered, assaulted, kidnapped, or robbed by passengers who book their services. He criticized the industry’s classification of drivers as “independent contractors,” which he said denies them social protections amid growing hazards. “These are not accidents—they are corporate violence,” Adeniran said, noting that families of victims continue to recount tragic experiences ignored by ride-hailing platforms. He stressed that the crisis is exacerbated by poor verification, saying, “Criminals snatch SIMs with fake NINs, hijack Ubers and Bolt rides, and vanish. It’s a supranational scourge—from Nigeria to Kenya and South Africa—demanding an African Union directive, but Nigeria must lead.” Adeniran proposed that all drivers and passengers be verified through the National Identification Number (NIN) within 60 days. He also called for expanded social protections, insurance coverage for accidents, scholarships for orphans and widows of victims, enhanced police collaboration, and regular engagement with labor inspectors. He praised the work of the African Forum for Restorative Justice (AFRI), led by Professor Don John Omale, for addressing corporate violence in sub-Saharan Africa. “AFRI is redefining the employment relationship by providing restorative justice services, including truth-telling circles, peacemaking panels, and reparative conferences, to address misclassification and violence in the e-hailing workforce,” Adeniran said. At the national level, AFRI facilitates collaboration among affected parties, aiming to inform policy for business regulation and compliance. At the supra-national level, e-hailing and food delivery workers are encouraged to unionize, form solidarity, and support African Union guidelines for safer working conditions across member states. The union urged government authorities and ride-hailing platforms to act swiftly to protect drivers and passengers and ensure safer operations across Nigeria.