The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that about 1,000 bags of poisonous rice have been intercepted in Ogun State.
In a press conference on Thursday, Hussein Ejibunu, Acting Comptroller, FoU, Zone A, said the parboiled rice was smuggled into the country via the Benin Republic adding that it was produced in India, according to the DAILY SUN.
“After seizing the smuggled rice, we called NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) to conduct laboratory analysis and it was gathered that the rice named SIMBA which consists of Led substances that is poisonous to the body was produced in India,” Ejibunu said.
Recall that in December 2016, Nigerian customs confiscated 2.5 tonnes of “plastic rice” smuggled into the country by unscrupulous businessmen.
According to the agency, the fake rice, said to be sticky after being boiled, was intended to be sold during the festive season.
Incidentally, rice is the most popular staple food in Nigeria
