Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has publicly questioned the Office of the National Security Adviser over an alleged chemical importation, raising concerns about transparency and public safety.
In a post shared Sunday on X, El-Rufai said he had formally written to the Office of the National Security Adviser, currently headed by Nuhu Ribadu, seeking clarification over reports that the office procured thallium sulphate, a substance widely regarded as highly toxic.
“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 on X.
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According to the letter he shared, information available to opposition political leaders suggested that the ONSA had procured approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland.
“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,” parts of the letter read.
El-Rufai described thallium salts as tightly controlled substances due to their toxicity, arguing that the reported transaction warranted immediate explanation in the interest of democratic accountability and institutional trust.
He requested 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 permit.
El-Rufai also sought clarification on the total quantity and specific form or concentration procured, as well as storage and security arrangements upon arrival.
He also asked whether relevant regulatory and public health agencies were involved in oversight of the substance.
In particular, he sought clarification on any 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 had been developed.
As of the time of reporting, the Office of the National Security Adviser had not publicly responded to the allegations. The claims remain unverified, and no official documentation confirming the importation has been released.
