El-Rufai has demanded clarification from NSA over alleged Thallium Sulphate procurement.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally requested clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over what he described as information available to opposition leaders 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, El-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” regarding reports that ONSA planned to import approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland.
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The former governor shared a copy of the letter on his official X handle on Sunday.
El-Rufai noted that thallium salts are highly toxic and tightly regulated substances, stressing that transparency is critical for public safety and democratic accountability.
“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.
He requested detailed explanations on six key areas, including the intended purpose and end-use of the chemical, the identity of the supplier, whether due authorisation was obtained, the quantity and concentration involved, storage arrangements, and regulatory oversight in coordination with agencies such as NAFDAC and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
El-Rufai also asked whether any public health risk assessments or hazard mitigation plans had been developed in view of the substance’s extreme toxicity.
While emphasising that his inquiry was made in good faith, he argued that openness would enhance public confidence in national institutions.
“Public confidence in the integrity of national institutions is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed,” he stated, requesting a formal response or a designated point of contact within the NSA’s office for further engagement.
He added that copies of the correspondence were forwarded to NAFDAC and the NCDC, given their statutory roles in chemical safety and public health preparedness.
The development comes days after security operatives reportedly attempted to arrest El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a recent interview on Arise Television, the former governor alleged that he became aware of a plan to arrest him through a leaked conversation, claiming that orders had been given for his detention.
The latest exchange adds to ongoing political tensions amid broader debates on national security management, sensitive procurements, and calls for greater transparency from federal authorities.
As of the time of filing this report, the Office of the National Security Adviser had not publicly responded to the letter.
