At Last, Customs Breaks Silence on Alleged Mysterious Killer Rice in Circulation in Badagry

By Dansu Peter  The Nigeria Customs Service has finally addressed the swirling rumours surrounding alleged poisonous rice said to have been...

By Dansu Peter 

The Nigeria Customs Service has finally addressed the swirling rumours surrounding alleged poisonous rice said to have been distributed in Badagry, Lagos State, firmly denying any involvement and labeling the claims as nothing more than the work of mischief-makers.

In a strongly worded statement released over the weekend, the Seme Area Command of the NCS dismissed viral reports suggesting that it had released bags of toxic rice seized from smugglers to individuals in the Badagry area—reports that were further inflamed by a disturbing video showing the corpse of an unidentified man in a red car, with a military camouflage draped over the driver’s seat.

Customs officials said the narrative being pushed—that the rice was shared without the original owner’s knowledge, prompting a traditional curse that allegedly led to multiple deaths, including that of a soldier—is completely false and without any factual basis.

Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, who leads the Seme Command, clarified that the Command operates strictly under established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when handling seized goods. These procedures, he said, prioritize transparency, legal compliance, and due process at every stage.

“There has been no incident within our jurisdiction, or among our personnel, that supports the outrageous claim of deaths caused by consumption of rice linked to this Command,” Oramalugo said.

He further decried what he described as the dangerous trend of individuals parading as journalists using their platforms to spread fear and misinformation.

“It’s disheartening that some individuals, under the guise of journalism—a noble profession—are fueling public anxiety with baseless, fictitious, and malicious stories, rather than informing responsibly,” he said.

While calling on Nigerians to disregard the rumour, Comptroller Oramalugo emphasized the need for the public to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information that could incite panic or damage the reputation of hardworking security personnel.

“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders and protecting the public from harmful goods,” he added.

This clarification comes as a relief to many in Badagry and beyond, who have been unsettled by the strange reports and viral videos. For now, the mystery surrounding the viral incident remains unsolved—but Customs has made its position clear.