…ONSA fires back
A fresh controversy has erupted between former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over allegations that the national security apparatus imported a highly toxic chemical compound into Nigeria.
El-Rufa’i, in a post on X yesterday, claimed that ONSA, headed by Nuhu Ribaɗu, procured about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland. He shared a letter dated January 30, 2026, which he said he addressed to the NSA, demanding clarification on the reported transaction.
Describing thallium sulphate as a colourless, odourless and extremely lethal substance, the former governor said its alleged importation raised serious public safety concerns. He noted that thallium salts are tightly regulated due to their toxicity and potential for misuse, insisting that democratic accountability requires full disclosure on such matters.
In the letter, el-Rufa’i said information available to opposition political leaders suggested that the chemical had been procured by ONSA. He requested details on the purpose and end-use of the substance, the identity of the foreign supplier, the quantity and concentration acquired, as well as the permits under which it was imported.
He also sought clarification on storage arrangements and security measures, and asked whether relevant regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were notified or involved in any risk assessment.
“As part of my duty as a citizen, I wrote to the NSA to seek clarification on reports about the importation by his office of thallium sulphate, a very dangerous toxin. It’s a matter of concern if anyone brings in any poison, more so an odourless, colourless one”, he stated.
However, ONSA has categorically denied the allegation. Responding to media inquiries, a senior official in the NSA’s office dismissed the claim as false and unfounded, stating that ONSA neither procured nor imported thallium sulphate. The official offered no further details but maintained that no such chemical importation was undertaken by the national security apparatus.
Thallium sulphate (Tl₂SO₄) is a highly toxic heavy-metal compound historically used as a rodenticide and insecticide, and is banned or strictly controlled in many jurisdictions due to its extreme toxicity.
As of the time of reporting, no independent documentation — including customs records, regulatory filings or export confirmations — has surfaced to substantiate the allegation. The dispute therefore remains one of claim and counter-claim, with no publicly available evidence confirming the reported importation.
For now, the matter remains unresolved, pending any further clarification or disclosure from either side.
