Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, is currently at the center of multiple legal and political confrontations, involving allegations of national security breaches, corruption, and an alleged procurement of a toxic substance by a government office. These developments have led to charges being filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) and an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The controversies began with a letter from el-Rufai to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, dated January 30, 2026. In this correspondence, el-Rufai alleged that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had sourced approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland. Thallium sulphate is a highly toxic, colorless, and odorless chemical compound known for its lethality even in small doses. ONSA, in its official response dated February 13, 2026, firmly denied any involvement in the alleged procurement. The response, signed by Brigadier-General OM Adesuyi on behalf of the NSA, acknowledged receipt of el-Rufai’s letter and stated that ONSA had neither procured nor initiated any process for the purchase of such material, nor did it have any intention of doing so. The matter has since been formally referred to the DSS for a comprehensive investigation, with ONSA requesting el-Rufai and other relevant parties to provide any supporting evidence to assist in establishing the facts.

Amidst these allegations, the Presidency described el-Rufai’s public statements as a calculated attempt to generate political tension and divert attention from alleged ₦432 billion corruption allegations in Kaduna State during his tenure. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, insisted there was no government procurement or importation of thallium sulphate through ONSA, accusing el-Rufai of spreading falsehoods to create fear and position himself as a victim. Ajayi also stated that el-Rufai had received ONSA’s reply but chose not to make it public, suggesting his actions were driven by a desire to destabilize the political environment and deflect from his domestic problems in Kaduna State.

Further escalating tensions, el-Rufai claimed on February 13, 2026, during an appearance on Arise Television’s 'Prime Time' programme, that he had listened to an intercepted telephone conversation allegedly involving NSA Nuhu Ribadu. He asserted that