Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has written to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) requesting clarification over what he described as information available to opposition figures concerning the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, Nuhu Ribadu, El-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” regarding reports that ONSA planned to procure approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland.
The former governor posted a copy of the letter on his verified X handle on Sunday.
Describing thallium salts as highly toxic and tightly regulated substances, El-Rufai stressed the need for transparency in matters relating to public safety and national security.
“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,” the letter stated in part.
He requested detailed clarification on six key areas, including the intended purpose and end-use of the substance, the identity of the supplier, whether due authorisation was obtained, the quantity and concentration involved, storage arrangements, and regulatory oversight in coordination with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
El-Rufai also asked whether public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans had been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.
While emphasising that his inquiry was made in good faith, he argued that openness would strengthen public trust in national institutions. He further requested continued engagement and a designated contact within the NSA’s office for follow-up discussions.
For completeness, he noted that copies of the correspondence were forwarded to NAFDAC and the NCDC due to their statutory roles in chemical safety and public-health preparedness.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions following El-Rufai’s recent claims during an interview on Arise Television, where he alleged that he became aware of a plan to arrest him through a leaked conversation purportedly involving the NSA.
As of the time of filing this report, the Office of the National Security Adviser had not issued a public response to the letter.
The issue adds to ongoing national debates around security oversight, transparency in sensitive procurements, and the broader political climate ahead of the next election cycle.
