Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has written to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), requesting clarification over reports circulating within opposition circles about an alleged plan to procure a highly toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, El-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” regarding claims that ONSA intended to import approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from an overseas supplier.
He later shared a copy of the correspondence on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
Thallium compounds are widely recognised in international chemical-safety regulations as extremely toxic and subject to strict controls.
However, as of the time of filing this report, there is no public confirmation from ONSA or any regulatory agency that such a procurement has occurred or is planned.
In the letter, El-Rufai said his concerns were driven by public-safety considerations and the need for transparency in sensitive government transactions.
“I am writing as a concerned citizen to seek clarification and reassurance regarding information available to the political opposition leadership about a procurement of approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he wrote.
The former governor requested clarification on several points, including the intended purpose and end-use of the chemical, the identity of the supplier, compliance with import authorisation procedures, storage arrangements, and regulatory oversight.
He also asked whether relevant agencies such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were involved, and whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans had been developed.
El-Rufai emphasised that his inquiry was not made in bad faith, arguing that openness would strengthen public trust in national institutions.
He said copies of the letter were also sent to NAFDAC and NCDC for what he described as completeness and transparency.
The letter comes amid heightened political tensions and public debate over national security oversight, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
Separately, El-Rufai recently claimed during an interview on Arise TV that security operatives had attempted to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
He further alleged that he became aware of the plan through a leaked phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Those allegations have not been independently verified, and no official statement has been issued by ONSA or other security agencies confirming an attempted arrest.
As of publication, the Office of the National Security Adviser has not publicly responded to El-Rufai’s letter or the claims surrounding the alleged chemical procurement.
Source: Adapted and fact-checked from reporting by PUNCH.
