Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Nuhu Ribadu, of procuring approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate—a highly toxic, colourless, odourless and tasteless chemical—from a supplier in Poland.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, received by ONSA on February 11, El-Rufai wrote as a “concerned citizen” to seek clarification on reports circulating among opposition political leaders. He described thallium sulphate as “extremely hazardous” and subject to tight international controls due to its lethality, with fatal doses as low as 8–12 mg/kg for humans.
“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 (ONSA), reportedly from a supplier in Poland,” El-Rufai stated in the letter, as quoted by Premium Times.
El-Rufai posed specific questions about the alleged importation, including its intended purpose and end-use, the supplier's identity, any required permits, quantity and concentration, storage security, and oversight by agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and environmental bodies. He emphasised public health risks and the need for transparency.
The former governor shared the letter publicly on X (formerly Twitter) on February 15, 2026, stating: “As part of my duty as a citizen, I wrote to the NSA to seek clarification on reports about the importation by his office of thallium sulphate, a very dangerous toxin. It’s a matter of concern if anyone brings in any poison, more so an odourless, colourless one.”
ONSA swiftly rejected the claims. In a response dated February 13, 2026, signed by Brigadier General OM Adesuyi on behalf of Ribadu, the office denied any procurement or intention to procure the substance.
“I have the honour to present the compliments of the National Security Adviser and to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency’s correspondence... ONSA has neither procured nor initiated any process for the purchase of such material, and has no intention of doing so,” the reply stated.
Instead of addressing El-Rufai's detailed queries, ONSA directed him to submit any evidence to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation.
The denial came amid escalating tensions between El-Rufai and the current administration, including prior allegations of targeted actions against him and probes into his governorship tenure.
The Presidency dismissed El-Rufai's move as a diversionary tactic to deflect from scrutiny over his past administration, labelling it irresponsible.
No independent evidence confirming the importation has emerged publicly.
Thallium sulphate, historically used as a rodenticide but now heavily restricted due to its toxicity, has a notorious reputation in poisoning cases for being difficult to detect.