Ola Akinwunmi
Widespread panic has erupted across communities in Ogun and Lagos states following viral rumours alleging that “deadly rice,” linked to a spiritual curse, has infiltrated local markets. The claims, disseminated through social media voice notes and WhatsApp messages, have prompted frantic warnings, school interventions, and a sharp rebuttal from customs officials.
The unrest stems from unverified reports that two trucks of rice stolen from a foreign trader in a neighbouring country were smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders. According to circulating voice notes, the trader—a woman whose identity remains unclear—reportedly enlisted Ghana-based devotees of Ogun (the Yoruba deity of iron and war) to invoke a deadly curse on anyone who consumes the stolen rice.
The messages allege that customs officers and a soldier in Badagry, Lagos, died after encountering the rice, while another WhatsApp claim insists over 70 fatalities have occurred in recent days. Though no concrete evidence has surfaced to support these deaths, the rumours have triggered alarm in a nation where imported rice from Benin Republic remains a dietary staple, particularly among children and youths.
Fear has translated into drastic precautions. In Ipokia Local Government Area (Ogun State), resident Morayo Adebayo recounted parents storming schools to demand that food vendors halt rice sales. “Parents are terrified. They don’t want their children near any rice,” she said. Similar warnings have flooded social platforms, with users urging loved ones to avoid purchasing or eating rice until the situation is resolved.
The panic has rippled beyond Lagos and Ogun, reaching cities like Abeokuta and Ibadan, where consumers now approach rice with trepidation. Market vendors reported a sudden drop in sales, with some customers returning bags over safety concerns.
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has vehemently dismissed the rumours as “baseless and malicious.” In a statement, Seme Area Command spokesperson Isah Sulaiman clarified that no seized rice had been improperly distributed and denied any deaths linked to customs operations.
“These claims are entirely false. Our processes for handling seized goods are transparent and lawful,” Sulaiman emphasized, accusing unnamed individuals of exploiting junk journalism to spread disinformation. He urged the public to disregard the “fictitious narrative” and avoid sharing unverified content that could incite fear or tarnish security agencies’ reputations.
Despite official reassurances, confusion persists. New voice notes continue to surface, with senders claiming personal anecdotes of “confirmed” deaths. This cycle of fear highlights the challenges of combating misinformation in an era of rapid digital communication.
For now, many residents remain caught between skepticism and caution. “I’m not sure what to believe,” said Lagos trader Femi Alao. “But why take the risk? I’ve told my family to avoid rice until we hear it’s safe.”
