Widespread anxiety has emerged across Lagos and Ogun States following the rapid spread of unverified allegations claiming that spiritually contaminated rice has entered the Nigerian market, prompting an official response from customs authorities.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has moved to quell public fears after WhatsApp voice messages circulated widely on social media platforms alleging that two truckloads of “cursed” imported rice were currently being sold to unsuspecting consumers in southwestern Nigeria.
According to the viral audio recordings, which have generated significant concern among residents, a foreign rice merchant allegedly enlisted traditional spiritualists in Ghana to place deadly curses on her product after it was purportedly stolen and smuggled into Nigeria through border crossings at Seme and Idiroko.
The unsubstantiated messages further claimed that several individuals, including customs officials and military personnel, had suffered fatal consequences after consuming the allegedly tainted rice.
Addressing these claims, Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer for the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, issued a formal denial on Wednesday, categorically rejecting the allegations.
“These fabricated stories suggesting that our command confiscated and redistributed rice shipments that subsequently caused deaths in Badagry are completely unfounded,” Sulaiman stated. “The narratives being circulated bear no connection to reality and appear designed solely to create unnecessary panic among the populace.”
The customs spokesman characterized the rumors as “entirely false, misleading, and without factual basis,” urging the public to exercise discretion regarding information consumed through social media channels.
Market surveys conducted yesterday in various areas across both states revealed that the rumors have already impacted consumer behavior, with some residents expressing hesitation about purchasing imported rice varieties in local markets.
“I received the voice note from three different family groups yesterday, and we’ve decided to avoid foreign rice completely for now,” said Folake Adeniyi, a Lagos resident encountered at Oyingbo Market. “Even if it’s not true, it’s better to be cautious.”
Local food security experts have noted that such rumors periodically surface during periods of economic stress, often exacerbating public anxiety about food safety.
The Customs Service has emphasized that all legitimately imported food products undergo proper inspection before entering the Nigerian market, with established protocols designed to ensure consumer safety.
Authorities have advised against forwarding unverified information that could trigger unnecessary public alarm, adding that rumors affecting food security matters should be treated with particular responsibility given their potential to disrupt essential commodity markets.
