Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by NSA Nuhu Ribadu, of procuring approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate from a supplier in Poland. El-Rufai publicly disclosed this allegation through a letter addressed to the ONSA and a post on his X account, emphasizing his concern about the importation of such a dangerous, odourless, and colourless poison.

In his letter, El-Rufai, writing as a concerned citizen, sought urgent clarification and reassurance, stating that information regarding the procurement was available to political opposition leadership. He highlighted that thallium salts are highly toxic and tightly controlled substances, making transparency crucial for public safety, democratic accountability, and maintaining public trust in national institutions.

The former governor posed several specific questions to the NSA, demanding details on the alleged transaction. These inquiries included the intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate; the identity of the supplier and whether the material was imported under an existing chemical or defence permit; the total quantity and specific form or concentration procured; the storage and security arrangements for the material upon arrival; the regulatory oversight and coordination in place with agencies like NAFDAC, NCDC, and relevant public-health and environmental bodies; and whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans had been developed given the compound’s extreme toxicity.

El-Rufai underscored that his inquiry was made in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed, believing that openly addressing potential risks strengthens public confidence. This development follows previous tensions between El-Rufai and Ribadu, including El-Rufai's claim of tapping Ribadu's phone and accusing the NSA of masterminding an arrest attempt at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In response to El-Rufai's allegations, Ayekooto Akindele, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that the former governor's accusations were merely an attempt to evade impending legal troubles. Akindele suggested that El-Rufai, who is expected to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption and had previously confessed to a criminal act of hacking on live television, is now trying to create a pretext to dodge detention and possible jail time. Akindele dismissed El-Rufai’s claims as a