Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai has been asked by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to provide any substantiating evidence to the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding his claims that the office procured a highly toxic chemical, thallium sulphate, prompting a formal referral to intelligence authorities.
The development stems from a letter El-Rufai wrote to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu dated January 30, 2026, in which he requested clarity about reports alleging that approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate — a chemical that is colourless, odourless and dangerous even in small quantities — had been imported by the Office of the NSA from a supplier in Poland. He shared the correspondence publicly on social media, stating the inquiry was made in the interest of public safety, transparency and accountability.
In its response, dated February 13, 2026 and signed on behalf of the NSA by Brigadier-General O.M. Adesuyi, ONSA categorically denied involvement in any procurement, stating it had neither acquired nor initiated any process to obtain the substance and had no intention of doing so. The office added that claims of the alleged transaction were unfounded as presented.
However, rather than dismissing the matter outright, ONSA’s written response acknowledged receipt of El-Rufai’s correspondence and indicated that the issue would be referred to the DSS for comprehensive investigation. The letter further stated that El-Rufai and any other persons believed to possess relevant information would be invited to present evidence that could assist in establishing the facts and ensuring due diligence.
The directive effectively places the onus on El-Rufai to back his assertions with verifiable documentation, including any records of sourcing, shipment, purchase orders, permits, or other materials that would substantiate his claim about the chemical’s procurement.
El-Rufai’s original request to ONSA sought specific details, including the purpose and intended end-use, the identity of the supplier, whether relevant permits or regulatory clearances had been obtained, the quantity and concentration involved, and how the substance would be stored and secured if it were legitimately procured. He also asked whether oversight bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had been engaged for public-health risk assessment or mitigation planning.
The referral to the DSS marks a shift from an administrative clarification request to a potential security and regulatory probe, indicating that the allegation will be examined by Nigeria’s domestic intelligence service.
Reactions to the development have been mixed: some political commentators have dismissed El-Rufai’s claims as unsubstantiated, while others argue that any allegation involving hazardous chemicals warrants full transparency and accountability. Critics have noted that thallium compounds are subject to strict control internationally because of their toxicity, making proper documentation essential if the purchase ever occurred.
As of the current reporting, neither the DSS nor ONSA has released a public timeline for the investigation’s next steps, and El-Rufai’s evidence — if any — has not yet been formally disclosed in the public domain. The case remains under review pending further developments.
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