Abuja, FCT – The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Tuesday, April 15, carried out an extensive raid on Utako Market in Abuja, targeting businesses involved in selling repackaged local rice as imported brands. The operation, supported by police officers and other security personnel, led to the closure of several shops and the arrest of traders involved in deceptive practices.
The FCCPC disclosed that several local vendors were caught rebranding domestically-produced rice to resemble popular foreign varieties in an effort to mislead buyers and gain higher profits. Notably, some of the brands being sold—like Mama Gold—have not been officially imported into Nigeria since 2015.
More than five major outlets within the market were shut down by the FCCPC. The commission directed the affected shop owners to report to its headquarters for further questioning and investigation.
“It Is Exploitative and Misleading” – FCCPC Director
Boladale Adeyinka, the FCCPC’s Director of Surveillance and Investigation, addressed reporters during the exercise, confirming that the action was informed by credible intelligence. She stated that traders were rebranding local rice and selling it under false pretenses as premium imported products.
“It is exploitative and misleading to consumers. We are conducting this operation to confirm reports that local rice is being packaged as imported rice. That is against consumer economic interests,” Adeyinka said.
She further revealed that despite the official discontinuation of exports by some rice brands, such as Mama Gold, in 2015, their packaging continued to flood the market in 2025, deceiving buyers who believed they were purchasing genuine imports.
Adeyinka assured that the FCCPC would not stop at the raids but would continue to track and expose individuals or groups responsible for the deceit.
“We are committed to following the trail to identify those behind this deception. These brands have publicly announced they no longer distribute to Nigeria. However, due to the recognition of these brands, cartels continue to exploit consumers,” she said.
She also warned that those found guilty of fraudulent packaging would face penalties ranging from administrative fines to criminal prosecution if they fail to cooperate.
Igwenma Alex, the Secretary of the Utako Market Shop Ownership/Traders Association, spoke to the press, raising concerns about the lack of communication from authorities regarding banned rice brands.
“When something is banned, awareness should be created for Nigerians. It’s not just about the traders – it’s about protecting the entire nation,” Alex stated.
One of the affected traders claimed ignorance, explaining that he was unaware the rice he was selling was no longer legally imported.
“If I had known these products were banned or no longer in the market, I would not have bought it. I source my goods from Kaduna Road and Kano,” he said.
This raid comes amid FCCPC’s broader efforts to curb fraudulent market practices. Earlier, the agency had alerted Nigerians about the role of cartels in artificially inflating the cost of essential goods, including rice, across the country.
Mr. Tunji Bello, the commission’s Chief Executive Officer, made this disclosure during a public meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, stressing the urgent need to address exploitative pricing driven by a few dominant players in the market.
