Former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has written to the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, seeking detailed clarification on reports that the agency procured a highly toxic chemical substance, thallium sulphate, from abroad.
El-Rufai said information circulating among opposition political leadership indicates that the Office of the National Security Adviser allegedly ordered about 10 kilograms of the colourless, odourless compound from a supplier in Poland, a substance classified internationally as extremely dangerous and tightly regulated.
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In a letter dated January 30, 2026 and shared on his X account on Sunday, El-Rufai described the inquiry as necessary for public safety, democratic accountability and maintenance of public trust.
He sought specific responses on the intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate, the identity of the supplier, whether the importation was authorised under applicable defence or chemical permits, and the total quantity and concentration of the substance involved.
He also asked for details on storage and security arrangements on arrival in Nigeria, and whether regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were involved in oversight.
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El-Rufai further requested disclosure of any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans developed in light of thallium sulphate’s high toxicity. He emphasised that his inquiry was made in good faith and that openness would strengthen confidence in national institutions, and he asked for a point of contact within the National Security Adviser’s office to facilitate further engagement.
Copies of the correspondence were also sent to NAFDAC, NCDC, and the national chairmen of the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. As of publication, the Office of the National Security Adviser had not issued a formal public response to El-Rufai’s letter.
Source: Punch.ng
