A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asked the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to clarify what he described as information available to opposition figures regarding the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to the NSA in Abuja, El-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” over reports that the office planned to obtain thallium sulphate from abroad.
He posted a copy of the letter on his official X handle on Sunday.
The Presidency, however, tackled the former governor, adding that he knew there was no government procurement or importation of Thallium Sulphate into Nigeria from Poland through the office of the NSA.
In a statement posted on X by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, the Presidency claimed that El-Rufai certainly got a reply to his letter from the NSA’s office, asking him to be honourable enough to release it, just as he mischievously released his letter.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is playing games and, in his typical fashion, also playing to the gallery. He knew there was no government procurement or importation of Thallium sulphate into Nigeria from Poland through the office of the National Security Adviser.
“El-Rufai certainly got a reply to his letter from the NSA’s office, and he should be honourable enough to release it just as he mischievously released his own letter.
“The truth is: Mallam El-Rufai has two clear intentions behind his recent actions and tantrums. One, to create political tension in the country, create an atmosphere of fear and unrest, and then damage the government through deliberate misinformation.
“Two, to divert attention from his domestic problems in Kaduna State, where he is facing massive corruption allegations. To draw attention to himself and project himself as a victim of persecution, he wants to nationalise his personal problems with his home state government, knowing that Nigerians will not be on his side over corruption charges,” Ajayi wrote.
He added that the problem was not President Bola Tinubu and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
“The question should be asked: how did El-Rufai lose almost everyone in the state he governed for eight years? He lost the support of the state’s critical stakeholders. He lost the governor, who had once been his political soulmate, a man he had supported to become a Senator of the Federal Republic and, later, the governor after him, even if half-heartedly.
“El-Rufai lost the entire 28 members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, who unanimously endorsed a petition to both the ICPC and the EFCC to probe him over N432bn corruption allegations, for which both agencies have invited him.
“Instead of behaving like a drowning man holding on to a straw to stay afloat, Mallam El-Rufai should brace up to face his corruption allegations and make peace with himself and his own people,” the statement added.
The development comes as the former governor is set to honour the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by 10:00 a.m. on Monday.
The former governor also wrote on his X account on Friday that he got an invitation letter from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, adding that he had asked his lawyer to confirm that he would come to their office on Wednesday, February 18.
El-Rufai returned to Nigeria from Egypt on Thursday and has since dominated headlines.
Aside from his invitation to the EFCC and ICPC and allegations against the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the former governor, on Sunday, in a letter, demanded clarification over a plan to obtain Thallium Sulphate from Poland.
El-Rufai noted that the substance is highly dangerous and tightly regulated, stressing 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 read.
He outlined six areas where he seeks explanations, including “the intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate, the identity of the supplier and whether the importation followed due authorisation, the quantity and concentration involved, storage arrangements, and the regulatory oversight and coordination in place with NAFDAC, NCDC, and relevant public-health and environmental agencies.”
El-Rufai also asked, “whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans have been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.”
While emphasising that the request was made in good faith, he argued that openness would strengthen public trust in 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 who are Nigerian citizens in opposition,” he added.
For completeness, El-Rufai said copies of the correspondence were sent to other relevant authorities.
“For completeness, I am copying this correspondence to NAFDAC and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), both of which play essential roles in chemical safety and public-health preparedness,” he said.
The development comes amid a recent attempt by security operatives to arrest him at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his return from Cairo, Egypt.
The PUNCH