Tension is running high in parts of Ogun and Lagos States, Nigeria, due to rumors circulating about deadly rice being sold in the area. The rumors, spread through WhatsApp voice notes, claim that a foreign trader had placed a curse on two trucks of rice after they were allegedly stolen and smuggled into the country. According to the voice notes, the trucks were brought into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders, and the trader had invoked the spirit of the Ogun deity to harm anyone who buys or consumes the rice.
The rumors further allege that several people, including customs officers and a Nigerian Army officer, have died after consuming the rice. However, these claims have been denied by the Nigerian Customs Service in Lagos and Ogun. In a statement, the Service declared that there is no truth to the rumors of deadly rice being in circulation. Isah Sulaiman, the Public Relations Officer of the NCS Seme Area Command, described the reports as “entirely false, misleading, and not reflective of the reality of the matter.”
The Nigerian Customs Service has categorically denied the allegations, stating that they did not seize or distribute any bags of rice without the knowledge of the owner, and that there is no evidence to support the claims of traditional powers being invoked to harm individuals. The statement emphasized that the narrative being circulated is baseless and does not reflect the true situation. The denial from the Nigerian Customs Service aims to calm the rising tension and reassure the public that there is no deadly rice in circulation. Despite this, the rumors have already caused significant concern among the population, highlighting the need for accurate information and the importance of verifying sources before spreading news.
