Nasir el-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, has asked the office of the national security adviser to clarify what he described as the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance from Poland.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser in Abuja, el-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” over reports that the office planned to obtain thallium sulphate from a foreign supplier in Poland.
El-Rufai shared a copy of the letter on his official X handle on Sunday.
The former governor described the substance as highly dangerous and tightly regulated, emphasising the need for transparency.
“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.
“Given that thallium salts are highly toxic and tightly controlled substances, I believe it is important – for public safety, democratic accountability and for maintaining public trust – to confirm the following details,” the letter partly read.
He listed six areas where he is requesting explanations, including the intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate; the identity of the supplier and whether proper authorisation was obtained; the quantity and concentration involved; storage arrangements; and regulatory oversight and coordination with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and other relevant public health and environmental agencies.
El-Rufai also asked whether any public health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans had been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.
While stressing that the inquiry was not made in bad faith, he argued that openness would strengthen public confidence in national institutions.
“I want to stress that this inquiry is made in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed.
“Public confidence in the integrity of national institutions is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed.
“If possible, I would appreciate a response or a point of contact within your office for further engagement to reassure those of us that are Nigerian citizens in opposition,” the letter added.
For completeness, he noted that copies of the correspondence were sent to other relevant authorities, including NAFDAC and the NCDC.
The development follows a recent attempt by security operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
In an interview on Arise TV on Friday, el-Rufai claimed he learned of an alleged plan to arrest him upon his return to the country through a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone.
“Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me,” he said.
The issue comes amid heightened debate over election cycles, national security management, and the role of oversight institutions, with opposition figures frequently calling for greater transparency in federal procurements.
As of the time of filing this report, the office of the national security adviser had not publicly responded to the letter.
