S.O.S ALIEME

Rice is the most important staple food for about half of the human race. It ranks third after wheat and maize in terms of worldwide production. Rice is indigenous to Nigeria and has been cultivated for the past years. The drain on the foreign reserve led the Nigerian Government to ban rice importation since October 1985. The banning of rice importation, were aimed at encouraging and boosting local rice production. Inconsistent government policies on rice importation has seriously affected local production.

Nigerian farmers reacted to the ban on rice importation by starting to prepare and use their fields for rice cultivation, but imported rice was soon back in the market because of another government policy that liberalized rice importation. This led to another drop in local rice production. Rice which is also known as Oryza sativa is the seed of a monocot plant and one of the major sources of carbohydrate. This all important crop has changed from being a ceremonial food to a staple food in many Nigerian homes.

The place of rice in the food security consciousness of Nigerians cannot be over-emphasized. It would be recalled that whenever there is a ban on the importation of foreign rice into Nigeria, it created a heavy multiplier effect on the cost of other food items. The resultant effect was the journeying of traders from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other cities into the nooks and crannies of every remote place in Nigeria in search of rice. There was widespread rice scarcity and it generated massive criticism on the governance and body politics of the Nigerian State. The fact that rice was nowhere to be found increased the overall national malnutrition level. The demand for rice has increased at a much faster rate in Nigeria than in other West African countries.

For the past three or some weeks there has been tension in Nigeria especially in the South Western states of Ogun, Lagos and Oyo where it has been rumoured that there is killer rice in circulation. The authenticity of these claims could not be ascertained following rumours of deadly rice currently in circulation. Rumours contained in several WhatsApp voice notes alleged that a foreign trader invoked the spirit of ‘Ogun’ deity on her two trucks of rice after the trucks were allegedly stolen and smuggled into the country.

Speakers in the various voice notes making the rounds alleged that the two stolen trucks of rice were smuggled into Nigeria from neighbouring country through Idiroko and Seme borders. The female trader, according to the voice notes, contacted some ‘Ogun’ worshipers in Ghana to lay curses on anybody that buys or consumes the alleged stolen rice. Some Customs officers, an officers of the Nigerian Army and several others were rumoured to have died after buying or consuming the rice. However, in a statement, the Nigerian Customs Service in Lagos and Ogun debunked the claims. The Service declared that there was no deadly rice in circulation in any part of the country. A statement by the Nigerian Customs Service, described the reports as entirely false, misleading, stressing that it did not reflect the reality of the matter. The statement extended further to assert that the news has been 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 statement said.

In a related statement, it was alleged that parents and relatives sent voice messages to their loved ones, warning them against buying or consuming rice at this time because a foreign trader had invoked the spirit of ‘Ogun’ deity after her two trucks of rice were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria. It was also alleged by another sender on WhatsApp that over 70 persons had died in the past few days after buying or consuming the said rice. Imported rice from the Benin Republic remains one of the most consumed staples in Nigeria, especially by children and the youth.

As the warnings keep getting to people in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, they pass the same to their loved ones, emphasizing to them that rice must not be consumed or bought at this time. The situation degenerated into observing some parents who went to schools, telling the food vendors not to sell rice to their children. As some individuals tried to debunk the rumour, more voice notes came from different people, claiming their alleged confirmation of the deaths.

Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements wearing the garment of journalism to misinform members of the public with baseless, fictitious and malicious accusations to score cheap points instead of the social responsibility they are supposed to uphold made the story to go viral. The NCS urged 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.

But let’s be honest in our culture, we often attribute random events to superstition. People die daily, and without autopsy reports or proper medical investigations, it’s wrong to draw such conclusions. Nigerians should apply reason and not allow unverified social media content to dictate their choices or fuel panic. Let us use our sense. There is nothing like cursed rice in Idiroko and its environs. Members of the public are advised to verify information through official channels and avoid spreading unsubstantiated rumours that may cause public alarm or damage the reputation of national institutions.

I want to state that government should always come out to inform the public on rumoured situations like this.  Nigerians should be warned from carrying false rumours all over the place.  The importance of rice consumption in all families in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized.  In the light of this, people should stop spreading unfounded and mischievous rumours.  Food consumption should not be politicized in any form.

God Bless Nigeria!!!