Some Nigerian and South African users of the ride-hailing apps Bolt and Uber have engaged in retaliatory pranks on X.
The online battle for dominance started when some South African Bolt customers gloated over booking fake rides in Nigeria.
The prank targets Nigerian e-hailing drivers, sending them on false errands to particular pick-up locations only to cancel the rides when the driver arrives.
Several screenshots show South Africans requesting Bolt rides in parts of Lagos such as Ikeja, Satellite Town, and Yaba. They also shared videos mocking the drivers who fell victim to such schemes.
🤣🤣🧡😂😂😂🙌🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/SLQaPH0p1Z
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) August 21, 2024
“Keep stressing Nigerians. Cancelation fee is only N400, which is R4,50 no need to worry,” a South African wrote on X.
In some of the tweets, the South Africans made references to the recent controversy surrounding Chidimma Adetshina, the Nigerian-South African model, who withdrew from the Miss SA beauty pageant over apparent xenophobic attacks.
South Africans are now ordering Bolt rides in Nigeria and cancelling all because Chidimma registered for a beauty pageant she has now dropped out of. They’ll justify their xenophobia saying they’re targeting illegal immigrants and drug dealers.
What’s your excuse now? https://t.co/p9yirhSVHl— Doctuche (@lidocaine_v2) August 21, 2024
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In retaliation, several Nigerian users also pranked drivers in South Africa by booking rides on Bolt and Uber and then cancelling them.
South Africans, it is Bolt for Bolt.. We mount 💀 pic.twitter.com/H4hUWspL9e
— Still On Still (@manlikesos14) August 22, 2024
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“By the time Nigerians are done with South Africans and their drivers, they will be forced to beg for a truce,” a user wrote.
By the time Nigerians are done with South Africans and their drivers, they will be forced to beg for a truce. You don’t start an e-war with a country of over 200 million people. Bathong na you go tire.
— LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) August 22, 2024
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“You don’t start an e-war with a country of over 200 million people. Bathong na you go tire.”
Another user wrote: “South Africans think they are petty but they were not informed. Nigerians Arise! Bolt for Bolt”.
South Africans think they’re petty they were not informed😂
Nigerians Arise!!!! Bolt for Bolt pic.twitter.com/PMcAyqH8fM
— MBAH (@Mbahdeyforyou) August 22, 2024
Both ride-hailing companies have yet to react to the development as of the time of this report. The online clash has triggered concerns about the safety measures ride-hailing apps put in place to prevent fraudulent bookings.
See more tweets below:
South Africans bolt / Uber drivers go suffer today
Aura for Aura ✅ pic.twitter.com/sKA4e1V6xT
— Omo Kogi (Yagba)🦅🦍 (@Oladapomikky1) August 22, 2024
Real location to find the indigenous South Africans Uber / Bolt driver
Aura for Aura ✅
Fellow Nigerians RT for others to see. We go harder 🤝 pic.twitter.com/SEeaWUUd8x
— Omo Kogi (Yagba)🦅🦍 (@Oladapomikky1) August 22, 2024
The second frame is all you need to know that they can win the battle but we will win the war.
Bolt for bolt I’m there joorh 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/7XYgSpmwiB
— Omolomo (@Omolomo_o) August 22, 2024
Be like say Nigerians don book all the bolt for South Africa cos why is it taken time for me to get a ride, the warey don dey come. pic.twitter.com/LjwIPXrFrF
— Soyómbò.Smith (@SoyomboSmith) August 22, 2024
This Nigerian ordered for bolt in South Africa from Nigeria.
The South African rider wanted to cry 😭— BASITO (@itzbasito) August 22, 2024
I sincerely think it’s time Nigerians teach these South Africans a good lesson. Their deep hatred/ wickedness towards Nigerians is sickening. I can’t comprehend it. The hate campaign on Chidimma is still fresh. How about xenophobic attacks on us? Now it’s bolt war. Una go learn!
— Ekonyohe 🇳🇬 (@Benue_Parrot) August 22, 2024
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