Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has requested clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser regarding reports of a planned procurement of a highly toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, El-Rufai said he was seeking assurance about information allegedly circulating among opposition figures concerning the importation of thallium sulphate.
The former governor later shared the correspondence on his verified social media account on Sunday.
“I am writing as a concerned citizen to request clarification and reassurance regarding reports that the Office of the National Security Adviser intends to procure about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a foreign supplier,” he stated.
El-Rufai emphasised that thallium compounds are widely known to be extremely toxic and subject to strict international control, stressing that transparency was necessary to maintain public trust.
“Because thallium salts are highly dangerous and tightly regulated, it is important for public safety and democratic accountability that the purpose and handling of such a substance be clearly explained,” he wrote.
In the letter, he asked the NSA’s office to provide details on several issues, including the intended use of the substance, the identity of the supplier, the authorisation process for the importation, and the safety measures for storage and monitoring.
He also sought clarification on whether relevant agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control — had been involved in oversight and risk assessment
“It is essential to know whether appropriate health-risk evaluations and mitigation plans have been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity,” he added.
El-Rufai maintained that the request was not politically motivated but aimed at ensuring adherence to safety standards and due process.
“This inquiry is made in good faith. Openness on issues that may affect public safety only strengthens confidence in national institutions,” he said.
He confirmed that copies of the letter were forwarded to regulatory and public-health bodies to ensure proper scrutiny.
The development comes amid recent political tensions involving the former governor, including his claim that security operatives attempted to arrest him at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
He had earlier alleged in a television interview that he became aware of the plan through intelligence from conversations linked to the security establishment.
