SEME COMMAND: Customs Refutes False Claims Of Poisoned Rice Deaths At Border Post 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has been alerted to a baseless and false allegation circulating that claims the Command seized and released bags of rice without the owner’s consent, allegedly causing multiple deaths, including that of a soldier in Badagry.

In a statement on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer , Seme Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman, firmly denies these claims, emphasizing that they are entirely unfounded and misleading.

The NCS, Sulaiman said, strictly follows established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling and disposing of seized goods, ensuring transparency, due process, and compliance with all relevant laws.

According to him, no incidents or deaths related to rice consumption have been reported within the Command’s jurisdiction or among its personnel.

“The spread of such misinformation appears to be driven by individuals misusing journalistic platforms to disseminate falsehoods, undermining public trust in security agencies.

“The public is urged to disregard these unfounded stories and avoid sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear or damage the reputation of agencies dedicated to national security.

“Under the leadership of Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, PhD, the Seme Area Command remains committed to its core responsibilities of revenue generation, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade in line with government policies and legal frameworks,”the statement added.