The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has refuted widespread allegations linking the Command to the distribution of allegedly poisoned rice that purportedly caused multiple deaths, including that of a soldier in Badagry.
In a press statement issued over the weekend by the Command’s Public Relations Officer; Isah Sulaiman, the NCS described the claims as “entirely false, misleading, and baseless.”
The widely circulated report alleged that the Seme Command seized bags of rice and distributed them without the consent of the supposed owner, who then allegedly used traditional means to curse the recipients, resulting in multiple fatalities. The Customs Command has now dismissed the story as fiction with no factual basis.
“The Command has always adhered to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the disposal of seized goods, guided by transparency, due process, and strict adherence to extant laws and regulations,” the statement read.
The Command further stated that no incident—within its Area of Responsibility or among its personnel—supports the claims of deaths allegedly resulting from the consumption of rice linked to Customs activities.
Describing the allegations as the work of “unscrupulous elements wearing the garment of journalism,” the Command expressed concern that such misinformation undermines the credibility of the press and stokes unnecessary fear among the public.
The Customs Command urged members of the public to disregard the unfounded narrative and avoid spreading false information that could incite panic or discredit security agencies dedicated to protecting national interests.
Under the leadership of Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, the Seme Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to its core duties of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade in accordance with national fiscal policies and legal frameworks.
The NCS reiterated its resolve to operate professionally and transparently while calling on the public and media to verify facts before circulation.
