Customers in Osogbo, Osun State, gathered on Monday to demand refunds after a food company that sold heavily discounted rice, cooking oil, spaghetti and semovita suddenly stopped operating before fulfilling prepaid orders. Police officers were reportedly deployed to the premises in the Odi-Olowo area as scores of customers protested, demanding answers and their money back.
Company sold food at below-market prices
Reports indicate the company sold rice, cooking oil, spaghetti and semovita at prices well below prevailing market rates. Customers say they paid in advance for food packages that they have not received. The business is located around the Odi-Olowo area of the city, reportedly opposite the NEPA office.
According to reports, the company operated an advance-order system. Customers paid upfront and were told to return in about seven days to collect their goods. Sources say a 50kg bag of rice was being sold for between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000, against a market price of ₦60,000 to ₦70,000, while a carton of Indomie went for between ₦5,000 and ₦7,000, against about ₦14,000.
Customers express panic and demand action
Hundreds of residents in Osogbo are in panic after the company suddenly shut down. Many had paid large sums of money expecting food packages before the company closed. Social media posts circulating since Monday put the figures at "hundreds" of residents and "millions" of naira, but neither claim has been independently confirmed.
Multiple reports confirm that some earlier customers did receive their orders. That built confidence in the business and drew in more people from across Osun State and beyond, helped by a growing social media presence.
Police deployed as company remains silent
Customers at the scene also said the shop was empty on the day many were due to collect their orders. The operators are reportedly unreachable. Police officers, reportedly arriving in six trucks, were at the premises to keep order while the customers protested, calling on the authorities to investigate and help them recover their money.
As of the time of this report, the company has not issued a statement, and there is no publicly available comment from the Osun State Police Command or the state government. The name of the company has not been confirmed, and it is not clear whether any complaints have been formally lodged. The claims in this report come from customers and online accounts and have not been independently verified.
