Fake rice sellers exposed: FCCPC takes major action as security operatives storm Abuja markets

• The FCCPC raided Utako Market successful Abuja, shutting down shops selling locally-produced atom re-bagged arsenic fashionable overseas brands, misleading consumers
• The cognition uncovered that brands similar "Mama Gold," which ceased exporting to Nigeria successful 2015, were inactive being passed disconnected arsenic imported rice
• Traders expressed concerns implicit the deficiency of consciousness regarding the banned atom brands, with immoderate unaware they were selling counterfeit products

FCT, Abuja - In a sweeping cognition connected Tuesday, April 15, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) raided Utako Market successful Abuja, sealing respective shops progressive successful the deceptive signifier of selling section atom arsenic overseas brands.

The operation, which constabulary officers and information unit supported, targeted traders accused of misleading consumers by re-bagging locally produced atom to mimic well-known imported varieties.

The FCCPC, backed by police, conducts a raid successful Utako Market, sealing aggregate shops progressive successful selling re-bagged section atom arsenic overseas imports. Photo credit: @fccpcnigeria
Source: Twitter

Shops sealed for fraudulent atom sales

During the raid, FCCPC officials sealed disconnected much than 5 ample shops stocked with assorted atom brands. The affected shops were directed to study to the FCCPC office for further investigation.

According to FCCPC, quality gathered pointed to the information that definite fashionable atom brands, which were being passed disconnected arsenic imported, had not been imported into Nigeria since 2015.

FCCPC cracks down connected fraudulent practices

Boladale Adeyinka, the Director of Surveillance and Investigation astatine the FCCPC, spoke to the property during the raid, confirming that the cognition was based connected credible intelligence.

She explained that the committee had identified a wide signifier of rebranding locally produced atom as overseas imports, which had misled galore consumers who preferred imported rice.

“It is exploitative and misleading to consumers. We are conducting this cognition to corroborate reports that section atom is being packaged arsenic imported rice. That is against user economical interests," Adeyinka said.

She further revealed that the brands progressive successful the deception, specified arsenic "Mama Gold," had ceased exporting atom to Nigeria arsenic acold backmost arsenic 2015, yet the atom with these overseas labels continued to flood the marketplace successful 2025.

Investigation and penalties ahead

Adeyinka emphasised that the FCCPC would travel owed process to place and apprehend those down the fraudulent packaging of rice.

She warned that violators would look administrative penalties and fines. Traders who garbage to cooperate with investigations could besides look prosecution.

“We are committed to pursuing the way to place those down this deception. These brands person publically announced they nary longer administer to Nigeria. However, owed to the designation of these brands, cartels proceed to exploit consumers," she explained.

Market traders explicit concerns

Rice bags with overseas labels seized during the FCCPC raid successful Utako Market. Brands similar Mama Gold person not been imported since 2015. Photo credit: @fccpcnigeria
Source: Twitter

Igwenma Alex, Secretary of the Utako Market Shop Ownership/Traders Association, voiced concerns implicit the deficiency of consciousness astir the banned atom brands, Punch reported.

He argued that due nationalist consciousness should travel immoderate prohibition to support consumers and guarantee that traders are not inadvertently progressive successful amerciable activities.

“When thing is banned, consciousness should beryllium created for Nigerians. It’s not conscionable astir the traders – it’s astir protecting the full nation,” Alex said.

A trader whose store was sealed during the raid shared his astonishment astatine the situation, claiming that helium had nary cognition that the brands helium had been selling were nary longer imported oregon had been banned.

He expressed that if helium had known the atom was counterfeit, helium would ne'er person purchased it.

“If I had known these products were banned oregon nary longer successful the market, I would not person bought it. I root my goods from Kaduna Road and Kano,” the trader said.

See the photos:

FCCPC: 5 large cartels driving up goods prices for nett

Previously, Legit.ng reported that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised concerns astir a cartel allegedly manipulating marketplace prices across Nigeria.

Despite authorities efforts to stabilise costs for goods and services, the cartel's activities person led to inflated prices.

During a one-day engagement connected exploitative pricing successful Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, FCCPC Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tunji Bello, revealed the commission's findings from large cities.

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Source: Legit.ng