Nigeria Customs Debunks Claims of Poisoned Rice in Trending WhatsApp Voice Clip
Following a viral audio clip circulated on WhatsApp platforms, the trending audio clip mentions that rice imported from Seme-Badagry is poisoned, highlighting that certain people who bought and consumed the rice died.
The voice clip warns the general public to avoid eating rice because the rice has penetrated the Nigerian market and is toxic for human consumption.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, debunks the trending voice clip claims about poisoned rice on WhatsApp platforms. The clip alleges 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 statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has been drawn to a widely circulated unfounded and 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 Command has always adhered to NCS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for disposing of seized goods, which are guided by transparency, due process, and strict adherence to extant laws and guidelines.”
The command spokesperson reiterated that no incident within the Command’s Area of Responsibility (AoR) or among personnel corroborates the false claims of deaths resulting from rice consumption linked to the NCS. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements, wearing the garment of journalism (a credible profession), are disinforming members of the public with baseless, fictitious, and malicious accusations to score cheap points instead of upholding the social responsibility they are supposed to maintain.
It concluded by urging the general public to disregard this unfounded story and refrain from spreading false information that could incite fear or tarnish the image of security agencies working tirelessly to safeguard the nation.
The Seme Area Command, under the leadership of Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, remains committed to its mandate of revenue generation, suppressing smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade professionally and responsibly in accordance with extant government fiscal policies and laws.