Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has written to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, seeking clarification over an alleged procurement of approximately 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
In a letter dated January 30 and addressed to Ribadu, El-Rufai said the substance was reportedly sourced 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,” he wrote.
The former governor described thallium salts as “highly toxic and tightly controlled substances,” stressing the need for transparency and public accountability.
El-Rufai requested details on the intended purpose and end-use of the imported chemical, as well as the identity of the supplier and whether the procurement was conducted under an existing chemical or defence permit.
He also sought clarification on the total quantity and specific form or concentration of the substance procured, in addition to storage and security arrangements following its arrival in the country.
Furthermore, El-Rufai asked whether relevant regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), were involved in oversight and coordination.
He inquired if any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans had been developed, given what he described as the compound’s extreme toxicity.
“I want to stress that this inquiry is made in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed,” El-Rufai stated.
“Public confidence in the integrity of national institutions is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed.”
He requested a formal response or a designated point of contact within the NSA’s office for further engagement.
Copies of the correspondence were sent to the director-general of NAFDAC, the director-general of NCDC, and the national chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On Friday, El-Rufai also alleged that he had access to an intercepted telephone conversation involving Ribadu.
Speaking on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television, the former governor claimed that Ribadu’s phone had been tapped and that he listened to a conversation in which the NSA allegedly directed security operatives to arrest him.
El-Rufai acknowledged that intercepting telephone communications is illegal but alleged that such practices are routinely carried out by the government.