By Oluwabukunmi
An InDrive driver, James Oluwatosin Ogunsonwo, has denied allegations circulating on social media that he colluded with robbers to attack his passengers during a recent trip in Lagos, insisting that his car merely broke down unexpectedly.
The controversy began after an X (formerly Twitter) user, identified as @Big_Itohan, posted Ogunsonwo’s photo, name, and vehicle details, warning the public to avoid booking him. The post alleged that the driver “pretends something is wrong with his car, parks by the roadside, and allows his gang to rob passengers.”
The viral warning quickly spread across X and WhatsApp, sparking public fear and prompting InDrive to suspend the driver pending an internal review.
In a video response posted online on Thursday, Ogunsonwo denied any wrongdoing and narrated his version of events surrounding the incident, which he said occurred on Sunday night during a trip from Surulere to Mafoluku, Oshodi.
“My name is James Oluwatosin Ogunsonwo. I’m the InDrive driver that this lady posted on Twitter and Instagram. The incident happened on Sunday night. They ordered a ride from Surulere to Mafoluku,” he began.
According to him, the vehicle suddenly lost power while driving along Ikorodu Road near the Onipanu pedestrian bridge.
“I noticed that the car went off — all the lights on the dashboard died. I started panicking and told the passengers something had gone wrong. I managed to manoeuvre into the service lane under a streetlight and asked a mallam nearby if I could fix the car there,” he said.
He explained that he asked the passengers to stay inside for safety, but they insisted on stepping out. After contacting his mechanic, he discovered that a disconnected wire on the battery caused the problem, which he fixed on the spot.
During this time, he said, two unidentified men approached and demanded money.
“They said I must give them ₦20,000. I told them I didn’t have that kind of money. The passengers overheard the conversation and began talking to the men. Eventually, the lady negotiated and transferred ₦8,000 to them,” Ogunsonwo said.
He added that the trip later continued without incident, and the passenger even transferred an additional ₦4,000 as payment for the ride.
Ogunsonwo expressed frustration that InDrive suspended his account without what he described as a “proper investigation,” insisting he had a spotless record with other e-hailing platforms.
“I’ve driven for Uber and Bolt with five-star ratings. I have never been involved in anything like this. If anyone has ever been robbed in my car, let them come out and say it,” he said.
The incident has since divided public opinion online. While some social media users urged caution when booking rides, others accused the passenger of making unfounded accusations that could destroy a driver’s reputation.
Confirming awareness of the case, the Lagos State Police Command said it had invited all parties involved to come forward.
“The Lagos State Police Command is aware of the widely circulated post and is inviting the concerned parties to come forward. They can reach me directly via call or WhatsApp on 09055390070,” said police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi in a post on X.
Meanwhile, InDrive said its internal review had not found any inconsistencies in the driver’s explanation but that the investigation was ongoing.
“We’ve reviewed the case and found no inconsistencies in the driver’s version. The review continues as we’re still trying to reach the passenger. We remain committed to ensuring fairness and safety for everyone,” the company stated on its official X account.
The case adds to growing safety concerns about ride-hailing operations in Lagos. In recent months, several passengers have reported robberies and kidnappings during trips arranged via popular e-hailing platforms, prompting calls for stricter regulation and enhanced passenger protection measures.
