Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has called on the National Security Adviser’s office to provide clarification regarding reports of the procurement of thallium sulphate, a highly toxic substance. El-Rufai raised the concern in a letter dated January 30, 2026, following circulating information about the planned importation of 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate, allegedly from a supplier in Poland.
In the letter, shared publicly on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, El-Rufai emphasized the importance of transparency and public safety, given the compound’s reputation as a regulated substance due to its extreme toxicity. He expressed his desire for reassurance from the NSA’s office to ensure that proper procedures had been followed, and that the chemical’s intended use was legitimate.
El-Rufai’s letter raised a number of specific questions about the importation process. These included inquiries about the compound’s intended purpose, whether the procurement adhered to the required legal authorization, details about the supplier, storage plans, and the relevant regulatory oversight. He also asked whether public health and environmental risks had been assessed, in light of the substance’s dangerous properties.
The former governor made it clear that his request was driven by a genuine concern for public safety and the need to maintain trust in national institutions. He asserted that addressing such concerns openly would strengthen public confidence in the Nigerian government and its agencies, particularly in the context of national security.
El-Rufai also made it a point to mention that he had sent copies of his correspondence to other key agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), both of which play crucial roles in overseeing chemical safety and public health.
Although the National Security Adviser’s office had not issued an official response at the time of the report, El-Rufai reiterated that his inquiry was made in good faith, seeking clarity on the matter to ensure transparency. He also requested continued dialogue with the NSA to resolve any concerns.
The inquiry comes amid rising tensions within Nigerian politics, with opposition groups continuing to call for greater transparency and accountability in the country’s security sector. El-Rufai’s request also coincides with his claims of an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, which he had highlighted in a recent interview. He alleged that the order to detain him had been issued by Nuhu Ribadu, a high-ranking official, following a leaked conversation.
This latest development underscores the ongoing political and security challenges facing Nigeria as the government navigates a complex landscape of national security, oversight, and public trust. The NSA’s response, or lack thereof, to El-Rufai’s concerns may further fuel the ongoing debate over the transparency of government actions in sensitive matters.
As of now, it remains to be seen how the NSA will address El-Rufai’s inquiry and whether any further actions will be taken in response to the allegations surrounding the procurement of thallium sulphate.