A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asked the Office of the National Security Adviser to clarify what he described as information available to opposition figures regarding the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026 and addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, El-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” over reports that the office planned to obtain thallium sulphate from abroad.
El-Rufai posted a copy of the letter on his official X handle on Sunday.
The former governor noted that the substance is regarded as dangerous and tightly regulated, stressing the need for transparency.
“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.
“Given that thallium salts are highly toxic and tightly controlled substances, I believe it is important – for public safety, democratic accountability and for maintaining public trust – to confirm the following details”, the letter partly read.
He listed six areas where he wants explanations, including “the intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate, the identity of the supplier and whether the importation followed due authorisation, the quantity and concentration involved, storage arrangements, and the regulatory oversight and coordination in place with NAFDAC, NCDC, and relevant public-health and environmental agencies.”
El-Rufai also asked, “whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans have been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.”
While emphasising that the request was not made in bad faith, he argued that openness would strengthen trust in public institutions.
He further requested continued engagement from the security office.
“I want to stress that this inquiry is made in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed.
“Public confidence in the integrity of national institutions is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed.
“If possible, I would appreciate a response or a point of contact within your office for further engagement to reassure those of us that are Nigerian citizens in opposition,” the letter added.
For completeness, he said copies of the correspondence were sent to other relevant authorities.
“For completeness, I am copying this correspondence to NAFDAC and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), both of which play essential roles in chemical safety and public-health preparedness,” he said.
PUNCH Online reports that the development comes amid a recent attempt by security operatives to arrest him at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Recall that El-Rufai, in an interview on Arise TV on Friday, claimed that he learnt of an alleged plan to arrest him upon his return to the country on Thursday through a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone.
“Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me”, he said in the interview.
This also comes amid heightened debate about election cycles, national security management and the role of oversight institutions, with opposition actors frequently demanding greater transparency from federal authorities on sensitive procurements.
As of the time of filing this report, the NSA’s office had not publicly responded to the letter.
