Jimmy Onyebuchi Isaac, a Nigerian, has bemoaned what he called a disastrous first day working with the ride-hailing platform inDrive. He claims he paid ₦150,000 after allegedly being robbed by a group of armed men, spent approximately ₦85,000 on fuel, and earned less than ₦50,000 from rides.
In a video, Isaac talked about how, after recently purchasing a car, he decided to look for a second source of income and registered on the inDrive app.
He claims that he started taking trips the next morning after his inDrive account was approved the nite before.
He claimed to have driven to a gas station, filled up with ₦85,000 worth of fuel, and started carrying people.
Isaac described the work, saying he accepted multiple trips and was busy all day.
“Since morning, all the work that I did, every work that I did, there was no place I did not go today. Customers came, I’m not going to lie, it was fun.”
However, he claimed that after computing his earnings, he discovered that, despite spending ₦85,000 on fuel, he had not earned up to ₦50,000.
Additionally, he mentioned that he had not even used up all of the fuel he had bought because there was still fuel in his tank.
Isaac claimed that when his car abruptly stopped near Victoria Island, his ordeal took a different turn.
He tried restarting the car multiple times because he thought there might be a battery issue, but the car apparently wouldn’t start.
He claimed that when he finally opened the bonnet to examine the battery, he found that the battery terminal had moved.
He claims that as he was attempting to solve the issue, a group of over five men unexpectedly surrounded him.
He claims to have committed daylight robbery.
Isaac claimed that the men stopped him from leaving the area and started demanding money from him.
He claimed that he first attempted to explain that he just wanted to reconnect the battery terminal because his car had developed a minor issue.
He claims, however, that the men demanded money and showed no interest in his explanation.
“I told them that my car had no problem. I said I just wanted to pull my battery head. Immediately I opened my bonnet, I saw that my battery head had shifted.”
He claimed that when the men allegedly surrounded and restrained him, the situation grew more dangerous.
According to Isaac, one of them allegedly held a short, sharp object against his body while the others shoved him.
“Those who pushed me, they pushed me. Those who used the short knife—one short, sharp object like that—it was pinned down from my side, from my belly here.”
According to Isaac, the men initially demanded ₦200,000, but he told them he did not have that amount.
He said he pleaded with them and offered ₦50,000, but they allegedly refused.
Instead, he claimed they threatened to search his car and take his valuables if he could not provide the money.
“I started begging. I said everything I could offer them was ₦50,000. They did not agree. They said okay, if I offered them ₦50,000, they would ransack my car and collect all the valuables.”
Isaac said two of his phones were also taken during the incident.
To end the confrontation, Isaac said he eventually transferred or paid ₦150,000 to the men.
He described the incident as a robbery and alleged that he was threatened with both a gun and a knife.
“To cut a long story short, I, Jimmy Onyebuchi Isaac, I pressed them ₦150,000. Daylight robbery. Plus the money that I made on inDrive today, plus the small amount I had in my account. They carried everything.”
Isaac said the experience left him questioning whether working with ride-hailing services was worthwhile.
He also expressed frustration over the security situation in Nigeria, saying his experience had made him reconsider his decision to seek an additional source of income.
“But you see this stream, it’s not flowing. I just wish I was at home and they followed me.”
Reflecting on the experience, Isaac expressed deep frustration about what he described as the insecurity and hardship he encountered.
“Nigeria is gone now. Nigeria is fucking gone. No matter how you want to see her.”
He ended the video by saying the experience had left him frustrated with the idea of working for ride-hailing platforms.