Alleged ‘Cursed Rice’ In Circulation Sparks Fear In Ogun, Lagos…Don’t Sell Rice To Our Children, Parents Warn Food Vendors
A rumour promoted on social media platforms has sparked significant tensions in some parts of Ogun and Lagos states.
People reportedly sent voice messages to their loved ones advising them to stay away from ‘rice’ at least for now citing ‘cursed’ two truckloads of rice in circulation.
The two truckloads of rice in question were reportedly stolen from a neighbouring country and smuggled into Nigeria through Idiroko border and Seme border, the woman, who owns the bags of rice, was said to have contacted some Ogun worshipers in Ghana who cursed whoever buys or eat the rice.
In a voice note, it was rumoured that some Customs officers and a soldier had died in Badagry, Lagos State while another voice note on WhatsApp claimed that over 70 persons have died in the past few days after buying or eating the said rice.
Parents reportedly visited schools in Ipokia Local Government , Ogun State, to tell food vendors not to sell rice to their children.
Team@orientactualmags.com however learned that the Nigerian Customs Service in Lagos and Ogun have reacted to the rumours asserting that there is no such rice in circulation.
Spokesman for NCS, Seme Area Command, Isah Sulaiman, said the narrative being promoted is 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 in Badagry.
The command wishes to categorically state that this narrative is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter.
It is instructive to note 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 misinform 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 statement said.
The NCS urged the general public to disregard the ‘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’-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
