El-Rufai demands clarification over alleged highly toxic chemical import by NSA’s Office

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of allegedly procuring thallium sulphate, a highly toxic chemical compound, and called for urgent clarification over the reported transaction.

El-Rufai made the allegation on Sunday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he disclosed that he had formally written to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, seeking detailed explanations regarding the purported importation.

According to El-Rufai, information available to opposition political leaders indicated that the ONSA had reportedly procured approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland. He described the substance as a “very dangerous toxin,” stressing that its odourless and colourless nature makes it particularly hazardous.

“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,” El-Rufai wrote.

In the letter addressed to the ONSA in Abuja, the former governor emphasised that thallium salts are internationally recognised as highly toxic substances subject to strict regulatory controls. He argued that public safety, democratic accountability and trust in national institutions required immediate transparency on the matter.

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El-Rufai requested comprehensive details on the intended purpose and end-use of the chemical, the identity of the supplier, and whether the importation was carried out under an existing chemical or defence-related permit. He also asked for clarification on the total quantity and specific form or concentration procured.

Beyond procurement details, he sought information on storage and security arrangements following the chemical’s arrival in Nigeria, as well as regulatory oversight mechanisms.

Specifically, he queried whether there had been coordination with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), including whether public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans were developed prior to or after the alleged importation.

“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,” the letter partly read.

As of the time of filing this report, the Office of the National Security Adviser had not publicly responded to the allegations.

The development is likely to intensify political scrutiny around security-sector procurement processes, particularly concerning substances classified as hazardous under international chemical safety standards.