RUMOURS OF 'DEADLY RICE' IN CIRCULATION SPARKS TENSION IN OGUN, LAGOS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Rumours concerning purportedly tainted or cursed rice are circulating in several areas of Ogun and Lagos states.

Voice notes sent to a correspondent claim that the rice (two trucks) was smuggled into Nigeria across the borders of Idiroko and Seme after being taken from a neighbouring nation.

According to the rumours, the rice’s owner, a woman, cursed anyone who purchased or ate the rice by calling upon Ghana’s Ogun deity.

Additionally, other voice notes claimed that the rice had caused the deaths of over 70 persons in Badagry, including soldiers and customs officials. These assertions haven’t been confirmed, though.

In Ogun and Lagos states, people are urging their loved ones not to purchase or eat rice, and the warnings about the supposedly cursed rice are spreading quickly. Some parents have even warned food vendors not to offer rice to their kids in schools.

Even though some people have tried to refute the rumour, fresh voice notes from other sources have surfaced that purport to validate the deaths linked to eating the rice.

The Nigerian Customs Service has refuted circulating reports about “deadly rice,” calling the story inaccurate and deceptive.

According to the NCS, the allegations about seized rice being distributed and the owner invoking traditional powers leading to deaths are unfounded and baseless.

The NCS emphasized that it follows standard procedures for disposing of seized goods, guided by transparency and due process, and found no evidence to support the claims of deaths linked to rice consumption.

The service urged the public to disregard the rumors and refrain from spreading false information that could incite fear or damage the reputation of security agencies.

Despite the denial, the rumor has spread to several cities, causing concern among rice consumers.