A wave of fear has swept through communities in Ogun and Lagos states following viral rumours that a consignment of “deadly rice” has entered the Nigerian market through smuggling routes. The rice, allegedly cursed by a foreign trader whose goods were reportedly stolen, is said to have caused mysterious deaths — claims now debunked by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The panic began earlier this week when several voice notes circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, warning Nigerians to avoid consuming rice. The messages alleged that two trucks loaded with rice were stolen from a neighbouring country, believed to be Benin Republic, and smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders.
According to the viral messages, the female trader whose goods were allegedly stolen sought spiritual justice by invoking the Ogun deity — a powerful god of iron and justice in Yoruba traditional religion — to curse anyone who consumes the stolen rice. Some voice notes went as far as alleging that soldiers and customs officers had died in Badagry after consuming the rice, and that over 70 Nigerians had lost their lives in recent days.
In Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, the rumour prompted a wave of public anxiety. Parents reportedly stormed local schools to instruct food vendors not to sell rice to their children. Residents across Lagos and Ogun states have begun sharing the warnings with loved ones, reinforcing a widespread reluctance to consume rice at all.
“I couldn’t believe it, but I had to take my children’s lunch to school myself. I told the food vendor not to serve rice until this issue is clarified,” said Morayo, a concerned mother in Ogun State.
In response to the viral claims, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Seme Area Command, dismissed the allegations as baseless and misleading. A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, said the story was entirely false and not reflective of any operational reality.
“The command wishes to categorically state that this narrative is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter,” the statement read.
The NCS emphasized that its disposal of seized goods follows strict procedures under national guidelines, ensuring public safety and accountability.
“It is instructive to say that no incident within the Command’s Area of Responsibility or among personnel corroborates the false claims of deaths resulting from rice consumption linked to the NCS,” the agency added.
Furthermore, the Customs accused some individuals of spreading misinformation for malicious purposes, warning the public against falling for scare tactics not backed by any evidence or official report.
Despite the official rebuttal, the rumour has gained traction and spread to other areas beyond Ogun and Lagos, including Ibadan and Abeokuta. With rice being a staple food consumed widely across Nigeria — especially imported rice from Benin Republic — the rumour has the potential to cause a temporary shift in consumption patterns.
Health experts warn that mass panic over food safety based on unverified claims could have economic consequences, including artificial price hikes or wastage of safe food. “This is a classic example of misinformation creating fear in a vulnerable market,” said Dr. Olusegun Alade, a public health analyst. “While food safety is important, it is equally crucial to rely on verified information from health and regulatory authorities.”
The NCS also criticized the role of some media practitioners in amplifying unverified reports. “Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements wearing the garment of journalism… disinform members of the public with baseless, fictitious and malicious accusations,” the Command stated.
As the tension simmers, the Customs Service continues to urge Nigerians to disregard the rumour and maintain calm. Authorities encourage citizens to verify food safety claims with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the NCS, or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) before spreading panic.
For now, while the alleged “cursed rice” remains a rumour unsupported by any official or medical evidence, it underscores how misinformation — especially in a digital age — can create fear