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Tension in Ogun, Lagos over alleged ‘deadly rice’ in circulation

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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.

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Police Summons Sowore, Arrives Force Headquarters with Travel Bag, Toothpaste, and Soap

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Omoyele Sowore has appeared at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters on Wednesday, carrying a travel bag filled with personal items, including soap, toothpaste, clothing, and books, in response to a police summons.

The appearance follows a letter dated August 5 from the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, inviting Sowore for questioning over a petition alleging forgery and criminal defamation.

A day prior, Sowore publicly pledged to honour the summons and urged fellow activists and supporters to accompany him. He arrived at the police headquarters at approximately 12:16 p.m., flanked by his legal representatives, A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, and a group of supporters chanting protest songs critical of the government and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The travel bag, visibly packed with essentials, was seen as a symbolic gesture indicating that Sowore was prepared for the possibility of detention.

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You will drink ‘shit water’ if you dig borehole in Lekki – Perm. Sec.

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The Lagos State Government has expressed serious concerns over the quality of water consumed by residents in the Lekki area, warning that those relying on boreholes could be drinking contaminated water.

At a recent stakeholders’ meeting, Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, sounded the alarm over the potential health risks posed by untreated wastewater seeping into underground water sources.

“Everyone digging boreholes within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water,’” Adegbite stated bluntly.

He explained that the government has plans in place to address the issue by expanding wastewater treatment efforts in the area. “If we are able to treat all the wastewater within this axis, we should be able to eradicate any form of disease that might result from non-treatment,” he added.

Adegbite also touched on the ongoing problem of flooding in Lagos, acknowledging that despite significant investment in drainage infrastructure, more work remains.

“Yesterday, it rained heavily, which is unusual because this is supposed to be August break,” he said. “We started having it because of a lot of complex issues. Despite the fact that we have committed so much, we still need to do a lot more in that space.”

The remarks underscore the growing environmental and public health challenges in Lekki, one of Lagos’s rapidly developing urban corridors.

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JUST IN: Kano Commissioner For Transportation Resigns Over Drug Allegations

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The Kano State Commissioner for Transportation, Ibrahim Namadi has resigned from his position following an allegation of his involvement in the controversial bail of a suspected drug baron, Sulaiman Danwawu.

According to reports, his resignation is coming just hours after the governor of the state, Abba Yusuf received the report of an investigative committee set up to probe his involvement in the deal.

‎In a statement signed by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, the Commissioner explained that his decision to resign was made in the overriding public interest and in the light of sensitive nature of the matter.‎

The Governor while accepting the resignation letter stressed the need for all political appointees to always reason with caution on sensitive matters and obtain permission from the higher authority anytime they are about to engage themselves on issues of public interest.‎‎

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