The Office of the National Security Adviser has denied allegations that it procured a deadly chemical substance, thallium sulphate, describing the claim as false and unfounded.
The denial followed a letter written by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, alleging that the ONSA imported about 10 kilogrammes of the highly toxic compound from a supplier in Poland.
In a response signed by Brig.-Gen. O.M. Adesuyi on behalf of the NSA, the office said it had neither procured nor initiated any process to purchase the substance.
“ONSA has neither procured nor initiated any process for the purchase of such material and has no intention of doing so,” the statement read.
The office further disclosed that the matter had been referred to the State Security Service for a comprehensive investigation.
According to the letter, Mr El-Rufai and any other individuals with relevant information would be invited by the security agency to provide evidence to aid the probe.
“Your Excellency and other parties involved, who may possess relevant information relating to this claim, will be duly invited by the Service to provide any evidence that may assist in an in-depth investigation, establishing the facts and ensuring due diligence,” the letter stated.
In his January 30, 2026 correspondence, El-Rufai described the alleged procurement as a matter of grave public concern, noting that thallium salts are highly toxic substances capable of causing death in small doses.
He sought clarification on the purpose and intended end-use of the chemical, the identity of the supplier, and whether the substance was imported under any existing chemical or defence permit.
The former governor also demanded details on the quantity and concentration allegedly procured, storage and security arrangements, and whether regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control were involved in oversight.
He further asked whether any public health risk assessment or hazard mitigation plan had been developed, given 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 wrote, adding that public confidence in national institutions depends on openness and accountability.
The latest exchange underscores the deepening rift between Ribadu and El-Rufai, who were once close political allies.
Both men rose to prominence during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with Ribadu serving as the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and El-Rufai as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises before becoming Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Their relationship reportedly began to deteriorate ahead of the 2011 presidential election following disagreements over party alignments.
In recent months, the former Kaduna governor has publicly accused Ribadu of using anti-graft agencies to target him over corruption allegations linked to his administration — claims the NSA has repeatedly denied.
With the thallium sulphate allegation now referred for investigation, the security services are expected to determine the veracity of the claims and clarify whether any such procurement process ever occurred.
As of press time, the State Security Service had yet to announce a timeline for concluding its investigation.
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