‘Stop arresting dispatch riders carrying illegal items’ – e-hailing union leader demands

Dispatch riders and e-hailing drivers acting as couriers should not be arrested by the police for illegal and contraband items found on them. This was disclosed by the founding secretary of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Comrade Ayoade Ibrahim.

Comrade Ayoade said the police should go after the apps and delivery companies that sent

Recall that the Nigerian Police, following the arrest of a driver for conveying parcels containing live cartridges in Asaba, recently warned dispatch riders and e-hailing drivers to verify items before agreeing to convey them.

Read here: Nigeria police warn dispatch riders, e-hailers against transporting unconfirmed packages

“I am saying this so that people will learn. Especially people who call themselves dispatch riders or couriers. You must confirm what you are carrying. Most of these things we bring out to the public are not to embarrass or frighten anybody. It is because there is a lesson to learn,” the spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, ASP Bright Edafe, had said.

Comrade Ayoade Ibrahim

Reacting to the warning, Comrade Ayoade noted that the police should not be in a hurry to blame dispatch riders or e-hailing drivers for issues related to the content of their packages.

He pointed out that, aside from the companies being the first point of contact, there are also contractual limitations that prohibit riders and drivers from opening and inspecting packages.

“Instead of pointing fingers at the riders, authorities should first hold the app companies accountable. These platforms are the initial point of contact—they match riders with package owners or customers. According to the terms and conditions of most app companies, dispatch riders and e-hailing drivers have **no right** to open, tamper with, or inspect any customer’s package.”

“For instance, when delivering sealed food, riders are not permitted to unwrap or access it,” Comrade Ayoade added

He pointed out that if a package is opened, the customer might suspect that items were removed or stolen. They could also worry about contamination, poisoning, or other issues associated with tampering.

These are the reasons riders often resist opening or inspecting packages: they are protecting both the customer’s trust and their own livelihood.

Police must understand dispatch riders for the gig economy to work

Comrade Ayoade noted that the conflicts between the police and app workers exist because the security agencies have failed to understand how the gig economy works and update their policing system to reflect this.

Consequently, he advised the police to take time to understand how the digital gig-economy works and how it differs significantly from traditional norms.

He stated that the job of the police is to investigate thoroughly, rather than make quick arrests.

“If a suspicious package is involved, officers should trace it back to the app company or the sender who assigned it. Once verified that the rider followed protocol, the rider should be released without undue harassment or detention,” he said.

He argued that, sadly, many officers fail to conduct proper investigations and instead opt for immediate arrest and intimidation. He said this was unfortunate, as dispatch riders and drivers are simply hardworking individuals trying to earn a living to support their families.

Finally, he noted that policing needs to evolve beyond traditional approaches to adequately cover digital activities. This is especially true in how law enforcement interacts with app-based workers on the roads.

“App companies operate under entirely different systems, and mutual understanding would reduce unnecessary conflicts,” he said.

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