Deadly Rice” Rumour Sparks Panic in Ogun, Lagos — Customs Debunks Poison Claims
A wave of panic and confusion is spreading across Ogun and Lagos states following viral rumours of “deadly rice” allegedly cursed by a foreign trader after her goods were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria.
Voice notes circulating widely on WhatsApp allege that two truckloads of rice, stolen from a neighbouring country and smuggled through the Idiroko and Seme borders, were cursed by a female trader who invoked the Ogun deity through traditional priests in Ghana.
According to the messages, anyone who buys or eats the rice is doomed. Some audio messages go as far as claiming that over 70 people, including customs officers and a soldier, have died after consuming the rice in Badagry, Lagos State.
In Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, fear has gripped communities. A resident, Morayo, told our correspondent that several parents stormed schools to warn food vendors not to serve rice to their children.
“People are genuinely scared. I’ve received over five different voice notes about the cursed rice today alone,” she said.
Despite attempts by some residents to debunk the rumours, new messages continue to surface, each reinforcing previous claims and leaving the public more confused.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed the reports as false, misleading, and dangerous, warning the public against spreading baseless panic.
In a statement issued by the Seme Area Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, the service said:
“The widely circulated allegations are entirely unfounded. There is no evidence of any death linked to seized or distributed rice by the command. No soldier or customs officer has died in connection with this false narrative.”
The command affirmed that all disposal of seized goods follows strict procedures, including due process and transparency, and denied any involvement in illicit distribution.
Customs condemned those spreading the rumours, accusing them of weaponising falsehoods to stir fear and damage the agency’s reputation.
“It is unfortunate that some unscrupulous individuals are using the cover of journalism to spread fictitious, malicious stories that serve no public interest,” the statement added.
Despite official assurances, the rumour has already spread to Abeokuta, Ibadan, and other parts of the Southwest, leading many to boycott rice entirely, especially foreign varieties from Benin Republic, a staple among Nigerian households.
There is no confirmed case of contaminated or cursed rice in circulation, according to Nigeria Customs. The public is urged to verify information before spreading, as mass panic over unverified claims could cause more harm than good.