The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed five shops in Utako Market, Abuja, after uncovering a scheme involving the sale of local rice repackaged in fake foreign rice bags. This operation, carried out on Tuesday, came as a result of intelligence that revealed the practice of re-bagging local rice and passing it off as imported foreign brands, which are no longer available in the Nigerian market.
Boladale Adeyinka, the Director of Surveillance and Investigation at the FCCPC, explained that the objective of the raid was to verify reports of this deceptive practice, which misleads consumers into believing they are purchasing foreign rice. Specifically, brands like Mama Gold—once a well-known foreign rice label—ceased operations in Nigeria as far back as 2015. Despite this, traders were found selling rice in Mama Gold packaging, with claims that the rice was imported, a clear violation of consumer trust.
Adeyinka emphasized that the practice was not only fraudulent but also harmful to the economic interests of Nigerian consumers, particularly given the ongoing demand for foreign rice. “We are carrying out this operation to confirm and validate the intelligence that local rice, our own rice, is being packaged in foreign brands and sold as foreign rice, imported,” she said.
The FCCPC director noted that the law would be strictly enforced in this matter. The commission intends to confiscate the counterfeit products and trace the supply chain to uncover those responsible for rebranding and distributing the local rice in foreign packaging. Adeyinka also warned that anyone who fails to cooperate with the investigation could face prosecution, as such activities are classified as criminal offenses under the FCCPC Act.
“This is an exploitative and deceptive practice that undermines consumer rights,” Adeyinka stressed, adding that the FCCPC would pursue legal action against all involved. The commission is committed to ensuring that such illegal operations are shut down and that perpetrators are held accountable.
In light of these findings, Adeyinka advised consumers to be cautious when purchasing rice. She urged Nigerians to buy rice only from authorized mills, distributors, or reputable importers of foreign rice brands, to avoid falling victim to such scams. The FCCPC has also encouraged consumers to report any similar incidents of fraudulent activity they come across in the market.
This operation is part of the FCCPC’s broader effort to uphold consumer protection in Nigeria. The commission continues to work diligently to monitor and investigate practices that could harm consumers, ensuring that businesses operate transparently and fairly. By taking action against the sale of re-bagged local rice as foreign imports, the FCCPC is helping to maintain consumer confidence in the integrity of the Nigerian market and safeguard economic interests.
