There is tension in several parts of Lagos and Ogun states following widespread fears that a deadly batch of imported rice is currently being sold across local markets. The panic, largely driven by viral voice notes on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, has left residents alarmed and unsure of what to believe.
In the messages being shared, people claim that a woman whose rice trucks were stolen from a neighboring country allegedly turned to spiritual means to curse the stolen goods.
According to these unverified voice notes, two large trucks of rice were smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders. The alleged owner is said to have contacted traditional spiritualists in Ghana to invoke the Ogun deity to punish anyone who consumes or sells the rice.
The panic intensified when voice notes claimed that several people, including Customs officers and a soldier in Badagry, Lagos, had died after consuming the rice.
Another message alleged that more than 70 people had reportedly died within days of eating the rice in different parts of Lagos and Ogun states. However, none of these claims have been confirmed by any credible source.
In areas like Ipokia in Ogun State, residents say schools and food vendors have begun taking precautions. “Some parents came to warn food sellers in schools not to serve rice to their children,” a local named Morayo told our reporter. She noted that fear has deeply set in, especially among parents and market traders.
Despite efforts by some individuals to calm the situation, more voice notes continued to spread, each one adding new layers to the story and causing greater confusion among the public.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), however, has stepped forward to deny all allegations related to the so-called ‘deadly rice’. In a formal statement issued by the Seme Area Command, the Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, stated:
“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area command, has been drawn to a widely circulated unfounded and baseless allegation claiming that the Command seized and distributed bags of rice without the knowledge of the purported owner, who then allegedly invoked traditional powers leading to the death of individuals, including a soldier at Badagry.”
The NCS noted that there has been no such incident within its command areas. They also stated that all procedures involving the handling and distribution of seized items follow strict guidelines and legal processes. The agency further accused some individuals of spreading falsehoods under the disguise of journalism.
“Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements wearing the garment of journalism (a credible profession) to disinform members of the public with baseless, fictitious and malicious accusations to score cheap points instead of the social responsibility they are supposed to uphold,” the statement added.
The Customs Service urged Nigerians to ignore the voice notes and avoid panic. They advised the public to stop spreading false information that could cause unnecessary fear or damage the reputation of national institutions.
Despite the reassurance, the rumour has already reached other areas such as Abeokuta and Ibadan, sparking concern among people who rely heavily on imported rice for daily meals.
