By Charles Maduka
Fear has gripped residents in parts of Ogun and Lagos states following widespread rumours about the circulation of ‘deadly rice’ allegedly linked to spiritual vengeance.
Voice messages have been circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, warning people against buying or consuming rice. The messages claim that two trucks of rice, allegedly stolen from a foreign trader and smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders, had been cursed by the owner.
According to the viral audio clips, the trader, a woman, reportedly contacted Ogun worshippers in Ghana to place a spiritual curse on the stolen goods. The rice, said to be imported from a neighbouring West African country, was allegedly smuggled in without her consent.
The audio messages claimed that the curse had already led to the deaths of several people, including Customs officers and a soldier in Badagry, Lagos State. One version alleged that over 70 people had died in recent days after consuming the rice.
In the wake of these rumours, panic has spread across communities. In Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, some parents reportedly visited schools to instruct food vendors not to serve rice to their children. Others have been forwarding the voice notes to friends and family, urging them to stay away from rice.
Despite efforts by some individuals to debunk the story, more messages claiming new fatalities continue to emerge, adding to public confusion.
Reacting to the situation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos and Ogun states dismissed the claims as baseless and misleading. The Public Relations Officer of the Seme Area Command, Isah Sulaiman, stated that there was no truth to the allegations.
“The narrative is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter,” Sulaiman said in an official statement. He added that the command had not distributed any rice without due process and that the claim of invoking traditional powers was fictitious.
Sulaiman emphasised that the NCS follows strict guidelines when disposing of seized goods and that no deaths had been recorded among its personnel or within its operational jurisdiction.
He criticised those spreading the rumour, accusing them of using misinformation to tarnish the image of the Customs Service and instill fear in the public.
“The public is urged to disregard this unfounded story and refrain from spreading false information capable of inciting panic or damaging the reputation of security agencies,” he said.
Despite the denial, the rumour has continued to spread beyond Ogun and Lagos, reaching Abeokuta, Ibadan, and other cities, with many Nigerians now wary of consuming rice, one of the country’s most popular staples.
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