The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has firmly denied a viral report alleging that it distributed poisoned rice that led to multiple deaths, including that of a soldier in Badagry, Lagos State.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, May 11, 2025, and signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the NCS described the claim as “false, misleading, and entirely baseless.”
According to the viral report, the Command allegedly seized and distributed bags of rice without informing the supposed owner, who was said to have invoked traditional powers in retaliation—resulting in mysterious deaths. However, the Seme Customs Command has dismissed the story as fictitious and lacking any factual backing.
“There is no incident within the Command’s Area of Responsibility or among our personnel that supports this narrative. This is a deliberate attempt to incite public fear and discredit the work of security agencies,” the statement said.
The Command stressed that all seized goods are handled in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which ensure transparency, legality, and due process in line with federal regulations.
Condemning the dissemination of the false report, the statement also took a swipe at individuals posing as journalists who, according to the NCS, are “wearing the garment of journalism to disinform the public” rather than fulfilling their social responsibility to inform with accuracy and integrity.
“The general public is hereby urged to disregard this unfounded story and refrain from spreading such misinformation that could damage the image of agencies working hard to secure and serve the nation,” the Command added.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, reiterated the Command’s commitment to revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and the facilitation of legitimate trade—all in line with Nigeria’s fiscal and trade policies.
The Seme Area Command assured citizens that it will remain focused on its mandate and will not be distracted by unfounded allegations aimed at undermining its credibility.