Stabbed while driving: Bolt Driver’s killing exposes deadly risks facing Nigeria’s ride-hailing workers

Picked up three strangers, never made it home: the death of Calabar Bolt driver Emmanuel Ita

Cross River State Police have opened an investigation into the killing of a 29-year-old Bolt driver who was allegedly stabbed to death by three passengers while on duty in Calabar — the latest in a growing pattern of violent attacks against Nigeria’s ride-hailing workers, according to The Punch.

The victim, identified as Emmanuel Ita, a resident of Ikot Effanga Mkpa in Calabar, was found dead in connection with a Honda City vehicle along the Target-Udy King axis of Calabar South on Friday. Police spokesperson Sunday Eitokpah confirmed the incident in a statement, saying officials were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving information about the incident — but arrived to find that Ita’s remains had already been taken by his family to a hospital mortuary.

A preliminary examination revealed an injury on his chest. According to earlier reports, Ita had picked up three male passengers along Mbukpa Road and was heading toward Calabar Municipality when the men allegedly ordered him to stop and surrender his car key. He resisted — and was allegedly stabbed while still driving.

Despite his injuries, Ita reportedly managed to drive to a nearby filling station before losing control of the vehicle, which veered into a gutter and struck a pavement. The three suspects fled the scene on foot. Passersby rushed him to the General Hospital, Calabar, where he was confirmed dead.

Police said they had commenced a preliminary investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding Ita’s death. The killing has renewed urgent calls for mandatory passenger identity verification and in-car safety measures on Nigeria’s major ride-hailing platforms, including Bolt and Uber.