The Daleko Rice Market in Mushin, Lagos, has become embroiled in controversy following the circulation of a video on social media alleging the market’s involvement in rice smuggling. Traders at the market vehemently deny these accusations, asserting that the video is a malicious attempt to damage their reputation and undermine the market’s credibility. They have called upon both federal and state governments to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, urging authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for spreading the allegedly false information. The traders maintain that the video is part of a larger smear campaign designed to discredit local rice traders and sabotage efforts to promote Nigerian-grown rice. They emphasize their commitment to selling only locally produced rice and their adherence to all relevant Nigerian laws.
The controversy centers on a video depicting an unidentified woman, her face obscured by cloth, claiming that smuggled rice from Cotonou, Benin Republic, is being brought into markets across Lagos, including Daleko and Ikorodu. The traders at Daleko Rice Market have categorically refuted these claims, asserting that they deal exclusively in Nigerian rice. They have expressed their dismay and embarrassment at the allegations, emphasizing the potential damage to their livelihoods and the market’s image. Chief Ibilola Solaja, the Iyalaje of Mushin and Vice President of Nigerian Rice Distribution, has publicly denounced the video, calling for government intervention to uncover the truth and expose those behind the alleged smear campaign.
Solaja’s appeal to the government underscores the traders’ concerns about the potential impact of the video on their businesses and the broader Nigerian rice market. She has called on security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the police, to investigate the matter thoroughly. The traders believe that a comprehensive investigation will not only clear their names but also serve as a deterrent against future attempts to spread misinformation and damage the reputation of local businesses. They insist on their full cooperation with any investigation, confident that it will vindicate them and expose the malicious intent behind the video.
Other traders at Daleko Rice Market have echoed Solaja’s sentiments, emphasizing their commitment to selling Nigerian rice and operating within the bounds of the law. Stellar Mide, a trader at the market, dismissed the video’s content as entirely fabricated, asserting that Daleko Rice Market deals solely in locally produced rice. Muftau Adisa, the Babaloja of the market, has also disassociated the traders from any illicit activities, emphasizing the market’s adherence to legal and transparent practices. He has urged the government to conduct a thorough inquiry, clear the market’s name, and hold those responsible for spreading the false allegations accountable.
The traders’ collective response reflects their determination to protect their livelihoods and defend the reputation of the Daleko Rice Market. They see the video as a direct attack on their commitment to supporting local rice production and contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy. They have called on the public to disregard the video, urging them to recognize it as a deliberate attempt to sabotage their efforts and tarnish the image of the market. Their plea to the public underscores their commitment to transparency and their belief that the truth will ultimately prevail.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of local businesses to misinformation and the potential damage that can be caused by the rapid spread of unverified claims on social media. The traders at Daleko Rice Market are now relying on the government’s intervention to clear their names and restore public trust. They hope that a thorough investigation will not only expose those responsible for creating and disseminating the video but also serve as a warning against future attempts to undermine legitimate businesses and disrupt the local economy. The market’s future, and the livelihoods of those who depend on it, now rest on the outcome of the government’s investigation and the public’s willingness to believe in their innocence.
