LAGOS: Panic and confusion are spreading rapidly across communities in Ogun and Lagos States as rumours circulate about allegedly cursed or poisonous rice being sold in local markets.
The rumours, which began earlier this week, have taken hold through a series of widely forwarded voice notes and WhatsApp messages warning the public to avoid consuming rice entirely.
According to multiple audio records, the incident allegedly began when two trucks loaded with rice were stolen in a neighbouring West African country and subsequently smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders.
The owner of the rice, said to be a female foreign trader, reportedly turned to traditional spiritual means in retaliation.
It is alleged that she contacted Ogun worshippers in Ghana, believers in the Yoruba deity of war and justice, to invoke a curse on anyone who buys, sells, or eats the stolen rice.
The belief, as conveyed in these viral messages, is that anyone who consumes the cursed rice would face severe consequences, including sudden death.
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The rumours have sparked widespread fear, particularly in border communities and urban areas with high rice consumption.
In Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, a resident named Morayo told our correspondent that some parents rushed to schools to instruct food vendors not to serve rice to their children.
“People are genuinely scared, she said. Everyone is forwarding these messages, and some food sellers have stopped cooking rice altogether.
In one particularly alarming voice note, it was claimed that several customs officers and even a soldier in Badagry, Lagos State, had died after allegedly consuming the rice.
Another unverified message claimed that over 70 people had died across various locations figures which have not been corroborated by any official or independent source.
In response to the escalating panic, the Nigeria Customs Service has strongly denied the rumours, labelling them as baseless, misleading, and harmful.
A statement released by Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer of the NCS Seme Area Command, said: The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has been drawn to a widely circulated baseless allegation claiming that the Command seized and distributed bags of rice without the knowledge of the purported owner, who then allegedly invoked traditional powers leading to the death of individuals, including a soldier at Badagry.
The command wishes to categorically state that this narrative is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter.
The statement emphasised that the Customs Service follows strict protocols and standard operating procedures for handling seized goods, including proper documentation and distribution under lawful guidelines.
No incident within the Command’s jurisdiction or among its personnel corroborates the claims of deaths due to rice consumption, Sulaiman added, accusing “unscrupulous elements” of using the guise of journalism to spread fear and misinformation
Despite official denials, the rumour has continued to spread, reaching communities in Abeokuta, Ibadan, and even parts of Ondo and Ekiti States. In markets across these regions, some vendors report a significant drop in rice sales. A trader in Lagos’s Mile 12 market told reporters that she had sold no rice for over 24 hours, an unusual occurrence.
It’s affecting our business, she said. Even people who usually buy daily portions are walking away. Everyone is afraid.
Health professionals have urged the public to remain calm and await verified information. Dr. Tunde Ajayi, a public health expert based in Lagos, emphasised the danger of panic-driven decisions.
Food safety concerns are serious, but mass panic based on unverified voice notes is equally dangerous, he warned. If anyone experiences symptoms after consuming any food item, they should seek medical attention and report it to health authorities.
The Nigerian Customs Service and other security agencies have appealed to the public to stop circulating unverified information that could incite fear or disrupt public order.
We urge the public to disregard these rumours and report any suspicious activity through proper channels, the NCS said.
As of now, no credible evidence has been found to support claims that contaminated or spiritually cursed rice is in circulation.
However, the psychological impact of the rumour continues to ripple through communities, affecting consumption patterns and trust in food safety.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and investigations may be launched if credible reports of illness or deaths related to rice consumption emerge.
