Ride-hailing driver found dead inside car in Bayelsa

The body of a yet-to-be identified ride-hailing driver has been found at Samphino axis of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Daily Trust gathered that the corpse of the middle-aged driver was discovered at the early hours Friday inside his vehicle at the Samphino Road junction in the Kpansia suburb of Yenagoa.

Eyewitnesses and residents who stumbled on the scene had reportedly raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from law enforcement officers who cordoned off the area.

Residents of the area said the victim might have been shot by suspected armed robbers, in an attempt to snatch his car or other personal valuables.

Although details remain sketchy, unconfirmed reports indicate the attackers might have booked the ride using the Bolt mobile application, a tactic that has raised growing concerns over the safety of drivers working with ride-hailing platforms in the state.

The incident has sparked fresh anxiety among residents and commercial drivers in Yenagoa, barely 24 hours after the Bayelsa State Government donated 31 operational vehicles to various security agencies to strengthen efforts in combating crime across the state.

The police spokesman in the state, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the incident, said the command had commenced an investigation into the incident.

Governor Douye Diri had on Thursday presented 31 brand new operational vehicles to service commanders of security agencies in the state.

He said the state government procured the vehicles to enhance the day-to-day operations of the agencies in the fight against crime.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, said the vehicles would boost their capacity to fight crime.