Society Editor
By Tolu Adesuwa Igiehon
The Lagos State Police Command has begun investigating a trending robbery allegation involving ride-hailing company InDrive, after a passenger, Mercy Agbonghae, accused one of its drivers, James Oluwatoyin Ogunsanwo, of setting her up to be attacked during a trip.
Agbonghae’s claim, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on October 15, quickly went viral with millions of views, sparking heated debate over safety in e-hailing services. In her account, she warned commuters to avoid Ogunsanwo, alleging that he staged a breakdown, locked passengers inside, and created an opportunity for accomplices to rob her.
But Ogunsanwo has strongly denied the accusation. In his statement, he explained that the incident was a misunderstanding triggered by a sudden electrical fault in his vehicle. He said he pulled over to fix the lights while speaking with his mechanic over the phone, and during that time, area boys confronted them and extorted money.
“They demanded ₦20,000, but after negotiation, they settled for ₦8,000,” Ogunsanwo recounted. He added that after the confrontation, he dropped the passengers at their destinations and even received a transfer for the trip.
Despite his defense, Ogunsanwo’s account with InDrive was suspended pending investigations. The driver, insisting on his innocence, said he had been unfairly punished and appealed for reinstatement.
InDrive, in a statement, confirmed that it had reviewed the case and found no contradictions in the driver’s version but noted that efforts were ongoing to reach the passenger for further clarification.
Police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi confirmed that both parties have been invited for questioning. “The Command is aware of the allegations and has opened an investigation. Both the driver and passenger are expected to provide their sides of the story,” Adebisi said.
The case has generated wide online reactions. Many Nigerians have expressed support for Ogunsanwo, with some even raising funds for him and demanding his reinstatement. Critics also faulted InDrive for suspending the driver before the outcome of an official investigation, arguing that it violated the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
As investigations continue, the matter has reignited public concern about safety in ride-hailing services and the balance between passenger protection and drivers’ rights.
