‘Deadly Rice’ in Circulation Cause Panic in Ogun and Lagos State

• It’s rumored that a foreign trader invoked the spirit of the Ogun deity after two trucks of her rice were stolen
• Rumors through voice notes alleges that several people, including Customs officers and soldiers, have died.
• The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos and Ogun states has denied the rumors, asserting that there is no deadly rice in circulation.

A wave of panic has swept through parts of Ogun and Lagos states following rumors of a deadly curse placed on stolen rice that has allegedly been smuggled into Nigeria.

Eko Hot Blog reports that various voice messages circulating on social media claim that a foreign trader invoked the spirit of the Ogun deity after two trucks of her rice were stolen and brought into the country through the Idiroko and Seme borders.

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According to the rumors, the trader sought the help of Ogun worshipers in Ghana to lay a curse on anyone who buys or consumes the stolen rice.

The voice notes further allege that several people, including Customs officers and soldiers, have died in Badagry, Lagos State, as a result of the cursed rice.

Despite the lack of official confirmation, the alarming rumors have led to widespread warnings against buying or consuming imported rice, particularly among residents of Ogun and Lagos.

Given the popularity of imported rice from Benin Republic among children and young people in Nigeria, the alleged curse has triggered significant concern and caution among affected communities.

As rumors of deadly rice continue to circulate, individuals are attempting to debunk the claims, even as more voice notes emerge with alleged confirmation of related deaths. This has led to confusion among the public regarding the safety of buying rice.

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos and Ogun states has denied the rumors, asserting that there is no deadly rice in circulation.

Isah Sulaiman, the Public Relations Officer for the NCS Seme Area Command, stated that the narrative is “entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter.”

“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 command wishes to categorically state that this narrative is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter,” the statement said.

It disclosed that the command had always adhered to NCS Standard Operating Procedures for disposing of seized goods, which is guided by transparency, due process, and strict adherence to extant laws and guidelines.

“It is instructive to say that no incident within the Command’s Area of Responsibility or among personnel corroborates the false claims of deaths resulting from rice consumption linked to the NCS.

“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 command added.

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The NCS urged the general public to disregard this “unfounded story and refrain from spreading false information that could incite fear or tarnish the image of the security agencies working tirelessly to safeguard the nation.”

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