Fear has gripped parts of Ogun and Lagos states following widespread rumours about the circulation of allegedly deadly rice.
Voice notes and WhatsApp messages are being shared by concerned individuals, particularly parents, warning loved ones not to buy or consume rice. The messages allege that a foreign trader whose two trucks of rice were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria from a neighbouring country invoked the spirit of the Ogun deity in retaliation.
According to several voice recordings obtained by our correspondent, the stolen rice was allegedly brought into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders. The trader, identified as a woman, was said to have engaged Ogun worshipers in Ghana to place a curse on anyone who buys or eats the rice.
The rumour escalated further with unverified claims that some Customs officers and a soldier in Badagry, Lagos State, had died after consuming the rice. Another message alleged that over 70 people had died in recent days due to the consumption of the same rice.
Rice imported from Benin Republic remains a major staple in Nigeria, especially among children and youth. With panic growing in Ogun and Lagos, residents continue to spread the warnings, advising others to avoid buying or eating rice.
In Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, a resident named Morayo told our correspondent that some parents visited schools to instruct food vendors not to serve rice to their children.
Even as some individuals attempted to debunk the claims, more voice notes surfaced, insisting that the reported deaths were real, leaving the public uncertain about whether rice is safe to consume.
However, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed the rumours. In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the NCS Seme Area Command, Isah Sulaiman, the service described the narrative as false, misleading, and unfounded.
“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has been drawn to a widely circulated, baseless allegation claiming that the Command seized and distributed bags of rice without the knowledge of the owner, who then allegedly invoked traditional powers, resulting in deaths including that of a soldier in Badagry. This narrative is entirely false and does not reflect reality,” the statement said.
The NCS emphasized that it strictly follows standard operating procedures for the disposal of seized goods, with transparency, due process, and compliance with legal guidelines.
The command further clarified that no incident within its area of responsibility supports the claim that rice consumption has led to any deaths involving Customs personnel or civilians.
“Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals, masquerading as journalists, are spreading baseless and malicious claims instead of upholding their responsibility to inform the public truthfully,” the statement added.
The NCS urged the public to disregard the rumour and refrain from circulating false information that could cause panic or damage the reputation of security agencies working to protect the nation.
Meanwhile, the rumour has reportedly spread beyond Lagos and Ogun, reaching Abeokuta, Ibadan, and other parts of the country, deepening public anxiety over rice consumption.
ADEOLA KUNLE
