The ongoing rivalry between Nigerian and South African users of popular ride-hailing apps, Bolt and Uber, has taken a new turn as social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have become the battleground for a series of retaliatory pranks.
The conflict began when some South African users started gloating online about booking fake rides in Nigeria.
These users targeted Nigerian e-hailing drivers, directing them to specific pick-up locations only to cancel the rides upon their arrival.
The prank, while seemingly harmless to those executing it, caused significant frustration and financial losses for the drivers involved.
Videos and screenshots circulating on X show South African users booking rides in various parts of Lagos, including Ikeja, Satellite Town, and Yaba, only to mock the Nigerian drivers who arrived at these locations expecting passengers.
One South African user downplayed the impact of the prank, noting that the cancellation fee was just N400 (approximately R4.50), implying that the cost was insignificant compared to the amusement derived from the prank.
This behavior quickly sparked a retaliatory response from Nigerian users, who began executing similar pranks on South African drivers by booking and canceling rides.
The online feud has since escalated, with Nigerians determined to outdo their South African counterparts in what has become a tit-for-tat exchange.
Adding fuel to the fire, some users have referenced a recent xenophobia-related controversy involving Chidimma Adetshina, a Nigerian model who recently withdrew from the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.
The withdrawal came after South Africa’s Home Affairs ministry accused her mother of fraud and identity theft.
Adetshina took to Instagram to announce her decision, stating, “After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I.”
