App-based transport drivers under the Bolt platform, on Friday staged a protest in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to demand justice for their colleague, Emmanuel Eden, who was recently killed by unknown gunmen.
The Bolt drivers, in their hundreds carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop harassing Bolt drivers”, “Bolt drivers are bread winners of a family”, “We need better security”, “No to brutality and killings” and “Gov. Diri come to our aids”, marched from Tombia Junction through the State capital, appealing to the state government to take necessary action to bring justice to the family.
The protest which attracted hundreds of app-based drivers also had members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and some Civil Society groups present.
Bolt drivers expressed shock over Eden’s gruesome murder and called on security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book, while also urging the government to improve the safety of drivers operating in the state.
One of the protesters, Jolly Adomokeme, told LEADERSHIP that the drivers embarked on the peaceful protest against the gruesome killing of their member to call for justice.
“Though police has been a friend, but some bad eggs among them have displayed acts against civil members of the society.
“Police should do their work and stop harassing Bold drivers and passengers. The police should also stop unnecessary extortion of our passengers”, Adomokeme said.
Another bolt driver, Goodness Okure, said the protesters were out to call on the Nigerian Police and the Bayelsa State Government to investigate and arrest those behind the dastardly killing.
She emphasised that the late Mr Eden left behind a young family with a wife and two kids, adding that “the woman is helpless”.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Mr Eden was shot dead on May 29, 2025 at Samphino Junction in the Kpansia axis of Yenagoa, the state capital.
Passersby discovered the lifeless body of the middle-aged driver in the morning inside his vehicle and alerted the police.
