Nasir el-Rufai, Former Governor of Kaduna State, has formally requested clarification from Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), regarding the alleged procurement of approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

In a letter dated January 30, el-Rufai said he was acting as a concerned citizen to seek reassurance about information available to opposition leadership concerning the reported acquisition of the highly toxic substance, reportedly sourced from a supplier in Poland.

El-Rufai emphasized the extreme danger of thallium salts, describing them as “highly toxic and tightly controlled substances.”

He highlighted the need to confirm details for public safety and democratic accountability.

His inquiry included requests for the intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate, the supplier’s identity, whether it was imported under a valid chemical or defense permit, the total quantity and concentration, and the storage and security arrangements upon arrival.

The Former Governor also sought clarification on regulatory oversight and coordination with relevant public-health and environmental agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

He asked whether any risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans had been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.

El-Rufai stated that his inquiry was made “in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed,” adding that “public confidence in the integrity of national institutions is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed.”

Copies of the letter were sent to the DGs of NAFDAC and NCDC, as well as the national chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The allegations have sparked mixed reactions.

The NSA’s office has yet to respond publicly. Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly dismissed the claim, while opposition figures called for an immediate investigation.

Human Rights Lawyer Deji Adeyanju described el-Rufai as an “unrepentant liar,” acknowledging the theoretical possibility of ONSA importing toxic materials but dismissing the claims as propaganda due to el-Rufai’s past controversies.

Further complicating the matter, el-Rufai recently alleged that he accessed an intercepted phone conversation involving Ribadu.

Speaking on Arise Television, he claimed that “someone tapped” Ribadu’s phone and that he heard the NSA allegedly directing security operatives to arrest him.

While acknowledgingthe illegality of phone tapping, el-Rufai stated such practices are routinely conducted by the government.

The situation remains fluid as the public awaits a formal response from the Office of the National Security Adviser regarding these serious allegations.