Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has sparked a national security debate by accusing the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of procuring a significant quantity of thallium sulphate, a highly potent and lethal chemical compound.
In a formal letter addressed to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and shared publicly via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, El-Rufai demanded an “urgent clarification” regarding the reported importation of the substance from a supplier in Poland.
El-Rufai, who recently transitioned to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed grave concern over the nature of the chemical. Thallium sulphate is notorious in toxicological circles as an odourless, colourless, and tasteless substance, making it nearly impossible to detect without specialized equipment.
“It’s a matter of concern if anyone brings in any poison, more so an odourless, colourless one,” El-Rufai wrote. He noted that information available to the leadership of the political opposition suggests the ONSA has procured approximately 10 kilogrammes of the toxin. Given its history as a “perfect poison” due to its delayed onset of symptoms, the former governor stressed that the acquisition of such a tightly controlled substance requires absolute democratic accountability.
The letter outlines several critical questions regarding the procurement process and the intended end-use of the chemical. El-Rufai’s inquiry specifically seeks details on:
Authorization: Whether the importation was conducted under a valid defence or chemical permit.
Logistics: The specific form, concentration, and total quantity procured, alongside the security protocols for its storage.
Regulatory Oversight: Whether the ONSA coordinated with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Risk Mitigation: Whether any public health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans were developed prior to the chemical’s arrival in Nigeria.
The former governor framed his demand as a matter of civic duty, asserting that public safety and trust in national institutions are at stake. He argued that the procurement of such a dangerous toxin by a security agency, without a clear and transparent purpose, could undermine the foundations of democratic governance.
“Public safety, democratic accountability, and trust in national institutions require immediate clarification,” the letter stated. The demand puts the ONSA under intense scrutiny, as thallium salts are internationally recognized as hazardous materials with very few legitimate industrial or military applications that would justify such a quantity in a civilian or security context.
As of the time of filing this report, the Office of the National Security Adviser has not issued an official response to Mallam El-Rufai’s allegations or the specific queries raised in his letter.
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