Customs Service Debunks Claims of Poisoned Rice

By Justin Huholds

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has strongly denied allegations that seized bags of foreign parboiled rice were poisoned, leading to the deaths of several individuals, including a soldier. The claims, which were widely circulated, suggested that the smuggler implicated in the illegal importation of the rice had poisoned the bags, and that the Command's distribution of the rice without the owner's knowledge had resulted in the alleged deaths.

In a press conference held at the Command's headquarters, Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo fielded questions from journalists, addressing the baseless allegations. According to the Command's Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the narrative is "entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of the matter."

The Command emphasized its adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for disposing of seized goods, guided by transparency, due process, and strict adherence to extant laws and guidelines. Sulaiman noted 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.

The Command expressed disappointment that some individuals claiming to be journalists would spread baseless and malicious accusations, rather than upholding the social responsibility of their profession. The public is urged to disregard the unfounded story and refrain from spreading false information that could incite fear or tarnish the image of the security agencies working to safeguard the nation.

Under the leadership of Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo, the Seme Area Command remains committed to its mandate of revenue generation, suppressing smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade professionally and responsibly.

The Command's swift response to the allegations demonstrates its dedication to transparency and accountability, and its commitment to maintaining the trust of the public. As the NCS continues to work tirelessly to protect the nation, it is essential that false information and baseless allegations are not allowed to undermine its efforts.