Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, has ignited a firestorm of criticism following her comments on the successful security coverage of celebrity chef Hilda Baci’s record-breaking attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice at Eko Hotel and Suites on Friday, September 12.
While Baci’s culinary spectacle drew thousands to celebrate Nigerian cuisine, Adeh’s attempt to highlight the Nigeria Police Force’s role in the event’s peaceful execution backfired, with many Nigerians slamming her remarks as insensitive amid the nation’s ongoing security challenges.
The Guinness World Jollof Festival, as Baci dubbed the event, was a meticulously planned endeavor. Announced on August 22, 2025, via her Instagram, the project aimed to elevate Nigerian cuisine on the global stage. “It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice; it would be nice for the country,” Baci told *BBC Pidgin* during preparations. Over two months, a 300-person team engineered the massive pot, which Baci personally scrubbed before cooking began.
Baci’s Guinness World Jollof Festival saw over 20,000 attendees marvel at the preparation of a colossal 4,000kg jollof rice dish, cooked in a 23,000-litre steel pot with 500 cartons of tomato paste and 168kg of deboned goat meat.
The nine-hour cook-off, live-streamed to a global audience, featured giant wooden spatulas stirring an Asun-infused jollof that fed thousands by Saturday’s early hours. Attendees praised the dish’s flavor and hygiene, with early indications suggesting it surpassed previous records, pending Guinness World Records’ verification.
However, the spotlight shifted when Adeh posted on X, praising the police’s efforts.
“Despite the chorus of ‘Nigeria is not safe,’ the world’s largest pot of rice was cooked and enjoyed peacefully. 👏 Big appreciation to the Nigeria Police and other security forces who made it possible,” she wrote. “And the best part? Not a single person stole the pot of rice, now that’s real security! 🍚😂”
Intended as a lighthearted nod to the event’s smooth execution, Adeh’s comment—particularly the quip about “no one stealing the pot of rice”—drew immediate backlash.
Nigerians, grappling with widespread issues like kidnappings, banditry, and recent reports of violent crimes in Abuja, labeled the statement tone-deaf.
“How can you joke about stolen rice when people are losing their lives daily?” one X user wrote, echoing sentiments that Adeh’s words trivialized the nation’s security crisis.
Activist Deji Adeyanju called the remark “a slap in the face” to citizens facing daily threats, while others demanded her resignation, arguing that a police spokesperson should prioritize sensitivity over humor.
A minority defended Adeh, noting that the event’s success, with no reported incidents despite the massive crowd, deserved recognition.
“The police ensured safety for thousands; why can’t we celebrate that?” one supporter posted. Yet, the controversy dominated discourse, overshadowing Baci’s achievement and highlighting the gap between official narratives and public realities.
Baci and her team, focused on awaiting Guinness World Records verification, have not commented on the police controversy.