Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has asked the Office of the National Security Adviser to clarify reports about the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, El-Rufai said he sought “clarification and reassurance” over claims that the office planned to import thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland.
He later shared the letter on his official account on X on Sunday.
The former governor described the chemical as highly dangerous and tightly regulated, stressing the need for openness in handling such materials. He said transparency was necessary to guarantee public safety and sustain public trust.
According to the letter, opposition figures had obtained information suggesting plans to procure about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from abroad. El-Rufai requested confirmation of key details, including the intended use of the chemical, the supplier’s identity, proper authorisation for importation, storage arrangements, and oversight mechanisms involving regulatory and public-health bodies.
He specifically requested clarification on coordination with agencies such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), alongside environmental and safety authorities. He also asked whether health-risk assessments and hazard-mitigation plans had been prepared, given the substance’s toxicity.
El-Rufai stressed that his request was made in good faith and aimed solely at ensuring due process and safety compliance. He added that transparency would strengthen confidence in national institutions and requested a contact point within the security office for further engagement.
He noted that copies of the letter were also forwarded to relevant agencies responsible for chemical safety and public-health preparedness.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported that the development follows a recent attempt by security operatives to arrest him at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
In an earlier interview with Arise TV, El-Rufai claimed he learned of the alleged arrest plan through a leaked conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He alleged that orders were given for his arrest, adding that government officials were not the only ones capable of monitoring communications.
The controversy also emerges amid growing debates in Nigeria over election cycles, national security management, and the role of oversight institutions, with opposition figures frequently demanding greater transparency in federal procurements.
As of the time of filing this report, the National Security Adviser’s office had not issued any public response to the letter.
