Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), under the leadership of Nuhu Ribadu, of procuring thallium sulphate, a highly toxic chemical compound, and has called for urgent clarification over the alleged importation.
El-Rufai made the allegation on Sunday in a post on X, where he shared a copy of a letter he addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja. According to him, the matter raises serious concerns about public safety and transparency in government operations.
In his post, El-Rufai stated that he wrote to the National Security Adviser in his capacity as a concerned citizen to seek clarification on reports indicating that the ONSA imported thallium sulphate. He described the substance as an extremely dangerous toxin, noting that its properties make it particularly alarming. “It is a matter of concern if anyone brings in any poison, more so an odourless and colourless one,” he wrote.
In the letter, El-Rufai claimed that information available to opposition political leaders suggested that the ONSA had procured approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier based in Poland. He stressed that thallium salts are known to be highly toxic substances that are tightly regulated in many countries due to their potential for misuse and the severe health risks they pose.
El-Rufai argued that the alleged procurement, if true, demands immediate and clear explanations from the appropriate authorities. He maintained that issues involving hazardous chemicals cannot be treated lightly, especially when they concern national institutions entrusted with public safety and security.
According to him, democratic accountability, public trust, and the safety of citizens require full disclosure regarding the purpose, authorization, and handling of such substances. He urged the Office of the National Security Adviser to provide prompt clarification to allay public fears and prevent speculation surrounding the alleged transaction.
