Fatal Incident in Nigeria Sheds Light on the Risks of Ecommerce’s “Pay on Delivery” Practice

The grim demise of an ecommerce delivery agent from Jumia, one of Nigeria’s leading online marketplaces, paints a chilling picture of the potential hazards associated with the business’s prevalent “Pay on Delivery” system. The tragic incident took place over the past weekend and ongoing investigations have since led to the detainment of a woman and two men who were in connection with the crime.

The events unfolded as the delivery personnel was on a routine task to deliver two iPhones and a motorbike to the suspected culprits. Upon arrival, the suspects allegedly refused to make payment, ultimately leading to the assault and subsequent murder of the delivery man. The individuals then proceeded to hide the remains in a septic tank within the Ada George compound in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

The news has been confirmed by news head Blessing Olomu of Coolfm, Nigeriainfofm, and Wazobiafm, Port Harcourt. This harsh reality presents glaring dangers posed by the “Pay on Delivery” model, highly prevalent in Nigeria. Although the country is not new to the ecommerce space, a majority of Nigerians hesitate to enter their account details online for such transactions. They often prefer to see items before payment, which may have contributed to the unfortunate events that led to the death of the delivery man.

Indeed, most Nigerians are comfortable with paying for cinema tickets online, but are resistant to prepaying for tangible items. This duality is at the heart of the ongoing debates among members of the Association of Ecommerce Operators, some of whom maintain the need to discontinue the “Pay on Delivery” option for the safety of their delivery associates. However, others argue for the option to be selectively available only in certain locations.

Restricting the “Pay on Delivery” choice only to specific areas could result in logistics challenges and potential bias, while completely forbidding the model could negatively impact the overall growth of the eCommerce sector in Nigeria. These predicaments are pushing ecommerce companies to consider other alternatives, such as devising collection points proximate to “volatile” areas, although the financial implications of this move are yet to be analyzed.

Jumia, devastated by the incident, has since published two statements regarding the tragic loss of its delivery associate. CEO Juliet Anammah calls for support from the public and offers condolences to the deceased associate’s family, emphasizing the significant role of delivery associates and logistic partners in Jumia’s operations.

She reiterates the importance of their safety, condemning any forms of disrespect or assault against them. The company, according to Anammah, continues to work with the local police, the partner organization and the deceased associate’s family to investigate further into the case.

The heartbreaking incident is a wake-up call to the ecommerce industry, highlighting the stark hazards linked with the “Pay on Delivery” practice. It underlines the importance of ensuring the safety of delivery personnel, the backbone of the mile-delivery commerce in Nigeria. It also fosters a dialogue whether a balance can be struck between customer convenience and associate safety, as logistic operations strive to contribute to the burgeoning ecommerce landscape, presently gaining momentum throughout Nigeria.

This article was updated in 2025 to reflect modern realities.