News
Tension in Ogun, Lagos over alleged ‘deadly rice’ in circulation
There is tension in parts of Ogun and Lagos states over rumours that there is deadly rice in circulation.
Parents and relatives send voice messages to their loved ones, warning them against buying or consuming rice at this time because a foreign trader had invoked the spirit of Ogun deity after her two trucks of rice were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria.
In various voice notes forwarded to the PUNCH, the speakers maintained that two trucks of rice were stolen from a neighbouring country and were later smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko border and the Seme border.
It was stated that the owner of the bags of rice, a woman, contacted some Ogun worshipers in Ghana to lay curses on whoever buys or consumes the alleged stolen rice.
In a voice note, it was rumoured that some Customs officers and a soldier had died in Badagry, Lagos State.
It was also alleged by another sender on WhatsApp that over 70 persons had died in the past few days after buying or consuming the said rice.
Imported rice from the Benin Republic remains one of the most consumed staples in Nigeria, especially by children and the youth.
As the warnings keep getting to people in Ogun and Lagos, they pass the same to their loved ones, emphasising to them that rice must not be consumed or bought at this time.
A resident in the Ipokia Local Government of Ogun State, Morayo, told our correspondent on Wednesday that some parents went to schools, telling the food vendors not to sell rice to their children.
As some individuals tried to debunk the rumour, more voice notes came from different people, claiming their alleged confirmation of the deaths.
This has left many confused as to whether to buy rice or not.
However, the Nigerian Customs Service in Lagos and Ogun debunked the claims, saying there was no deadly rice in circulation.
In a statement by the NCS, Seme Area Command, Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, said the narrative was entirely false, misleading, and did not reflect the reality of the matter.
“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, 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 statement said.
It disclosed that the command had always adhered to NCS Standard Operating Procedures for disposing of seized goods, which is guided by transparency, due process, and strict adherence to extant laws and guidelines.
“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.“
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements wearing the garment of journalism (a credible profession) to disinform members of the public with baseless, fictitious and malicious accusations to score cheap points instead of the social responsibility they are supposed to uphold,” the command added.
The NCS urged the general public to disregard this “unfounded story and refrain from spreading false information that could incite fear or tarnish the image of the security agencies working tirelessly to safeguard the nation.
”It was learnt that rumour has spread to Abeokuta, Ibadan, and other states, creating fears among rice consumers.
News
MultiChoice Unveils Festive Seasons Price Slash for Decoders
MultiChoice’s Executive Head of Marketing, Tope Oshunkeye, explained that the move is to ensures that entertainment remained affordable for all Nigerians as the festive season approaches.
Multichoice has slashed the price of the DStv decoder from N10,000 to a N7,900, while the GOtv decoder price dropped to N6,500.
MultiChoice’s Executive Head of Marketing, Tope Oshunkeye, explained that the move is to ensures that entertainment remained affordable for all Nigerians as the festive season approaches.
He emphasised that this would be a great opportunity for more families to spend quality time together, enjoying local and international programming without putting too much pressure on their pockets.
According to the company, this second major adjustment in months, effective since November 1, is part of the company’s commitment to serve customers better and provide affordable access to premium entertainment.
The new price adjustment follows an earlier reduction in June, under the company’s “We’ve Got You” campaign. Then, MultiChoice adjusted the price of a DStv decoder by 50 percent from N20,000 to N10,000, and the GOtv decoder went from N18,600 to N9,900.
News
Immigration returns Senator Natasha’s passport after social media outcry
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has returned the passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after a wave of public outcry and condemnation on social media.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, was stopped by immigration officers on Tuesday morning, and her passport was withheld without any official reason or explanation provided.
The lawmaker, who was visibly frustrated, had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of ordering the seizure, alleging it was a move to prevent her from traveling and carrying out her senatorial duties.
“I have committed no offence and there is no order from the court to withhold my passport and deny me travelling. The last time this happened, the officer in charge told us that the Senate President, Godswin Akpabio instructed them to withhold my passport and prevent me from travelling because he said each time I travel out of the country, I spoil the country’s image by granting interviews out in international media.
“Please, can you tell them to release my passport and this embarrassment should stop? You have no right to withhold my passport.
“You have no right to deny me exit and entrance into my country. I have not committed any offence and this must stop. No, this must stop.
“As a matter of fact, I think I have to sue you for continuously embarrassing me. No, don’t tell me sorry. Can I please have my passport? You can’t keep doing this to me all the time,” she said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan views the incident as part of a recurring pattern of harassment, pointing out that her passport was previously seized under similar circumstances, only to be released after intervention from influential figures.
She continued, “There is no reason why. You have no right to do that, madam. You have no right. You are taking laws into your hands. There is no court order. I have not missed any of my court appearances.
“I have attended all my court sessions. I am not a flight risk. I am not a risk to my country. So why are you treating me like a criminal? Can I have my passport, please? Thank you very much. Sometimes I think you just have to be a rebel to get things right. Then you keep asking Nigerians to be good citizens.
Minutes after her public protest gained traction online, the NIS reportedly bowed to pressure and released her passport.
“If I had not gone public, would you have given me my passport,” she added.
News
DSS Sacks 115 Officers (Photos)
The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed 115 of its personnel as part of ongoing internal reforms aimed at maintaining discipline and integrity within the agency.This was made known in a statement on the Service’s official X account on Tuesday, stating that the action followed a review process which identified the affected individuals, whose names have now been published on its official website.

The DSS also warned members of the public against engaging in any form of transaction or communication with those dismissed, noting that some of them continue to impersonate DSS officials.

The Service reiterated its commitment to professionalism and urged citizens to report suspicious activities through its official helpline or email.

The statement reads, “As part of the ongoing reforms in the Department of State Services (DSS), the public is hereby informed that a total of 115 personnel have been dismissed over a period.
“In addition to earlier disclaimers on the duo of Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, the Service finds it necessary to warn citizens of the fraudulent activities of some of these persons still posing as DSS personnel.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any official dealing with these individuals who have been dismissed by the Service.
“For clarity, the identities of the affected persons have been published on the website of the Service (dss.gov.ng/media/more/4).
“For requests, enquiries or complaints, the Service can be reached on 09088373515, or via email: dsspr@dss.gov.ng.”
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