Panic is spreading across parts of Ogun and Lagos States following widespread rumors of “deadly rice” allegedly circulating in the region.
The rumors, primarily shared through WhatsApp voice notes, claim that a foreign trader invoked the spirit of the Ogun deity on two trucks of rice after they were reportedly stolen and smuggled into Nigeria.
According to the voice notes, the stolen rice was transported from a neighboring country through the Idiroko and Seme borders. Allegedly, the trader sought the help of Ogun worshippers in Ghana to lay curses on “anybody that buys or consumes” the stolen rice.
The voice notes further claimed that some customs officers, a Nigerian Army officer, and several others died after consuming the rice, fueling widespread fear.
However, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos and Ogun States has debunked the claims, insisting there is no “deadly rice” in circulation.
In an official statement on Wednesday, Isah Sulaiman, the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Seme Area Command, described the reports as entirely false and misleading. He stressed that the narrative does not reflect the reality of the situation.
“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 statement read.
The NCS assured the public that there is no truth to the rumors and urged Nigerians to disregard the voice notes as baseless fabrications.
