The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has firmly denied widespread reports alleging that multiple deaths, including that of a soldier, were linked to the consumption of allegedly poisoned rice purportedly released by the Command.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the NCS described the reports as “unfounded, baseless, and misleading.”
According to the statement, the Command did not seize or distribute any rice without following due process or knowledge of ownership, as claimed in the circulating narrative. The Command emphasized its strict adherence to the NCS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the disposal of seized goods, noting that transparency, legality, and accountability guide all its actions.
“There is no incident within our Area of Responsibility or among our personnel that supports the false claims of deaths caused by rice distributed by this Command,” the statement read.
The NCS also condemned individuals behind the reports, accusing them of misusing journalism to misinform the public and discredit security agencies.
The Command urged members of the public to disregard the claims, warning that spreading such misinformation could incite public fear and damage the reputation of agencies working to ensure national security and economic stability.
Under the leadership of Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, the Seme Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to revenue generation, anti-sm
The statement reads;
- The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), 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 Command wishes to categorically state that this narrative is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter. The Command has always adhered to NCS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for disposing of seized goods which is guided by transparency, due process, and strict adherence to extant laws and guidelines.
- It is instructive to say that no incident within the Command’s Area of Responsibility (AoR) 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 disinform members of the public with baseless, fictitious and malicious accusations to score cheap points instead of the social responsibility they are supposed to uphold.
- Consequently, we urge the general public to disregard this 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.
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- The Seme Area Command, under the leadership of Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, remains committed to its mandate of revenue generation, suppressing smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade professionally and responsibly in accordance with extant government fiscal policies and laws.
