Residents of Lagos and Ogun States are in a state of panic following widespread rumours of allegedly cursed rice in circulation, which Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has officially debunked as false.

According to viral WhatsApp voice notes circulating across both states, two trucks of rice were allegedly stolen from a foreign trader and smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders. The trader reportedly invoked the spirit of the Ogun deity by contacting Ogun worshippers in Ghana to curse anyone who purchased or consumed the rice.

The rumours claimed that several people, including Customs officers and a Nigerian Army officer, had died after buying or consuming the allegedly cursed rice, heightening public fear about rice purchases.

However, on Wednesday, the Nigerian Customs Service issued an official statement categorically denying these claims. Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer of the NCS Seme Area Command, described the reports as "entirely false, misleading, and not reflecting 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 statement read.

The NCS emphasized that there is no deadly rice in circulation in any part of the country, urging the public to disregard the rumours and continue their normal activities without fear.

Food safety experts advise consumers to purchase rice and other food items from reputable sources and to report any suspicious products to relevant authorities rather than spreading unverified information.