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By Goli Innocent
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has asked former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to provide evidence to substantiate his claim that it procured thallium sulphate, a highly toxic substance.
In a response to El-Rufai’s letter, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, denied that his office procured or initiated any process to purchase the chemical and referred the allegation to the Department of State Services for investigation.
El-Rufai had, in a letter dated January 30, 2026, alleged that approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate was reportedly sourced from a supplier in Poland and sought clarification from ONSA.
In its reply dated February 13, 2026, signed by OM Adesuyi, a brigadier-general, on behalf of the NSA, ONSA dismissed the claim and invited El-Rufai to present proof.
Adesuyi wrote: “I have the honour to present the compliments of the National Security Adviser and to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency’s correspondence received on 11 February 2026 requesting clarification regarding the alleged procurement of approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
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The correspondence further indicated that information concerning the purported procurement is reportedly available to the political opposition leadership. In this regard, I am directed to respectfully convey that ONSA has neither procured nor initiated any process for the purchase of such material, and has no intention of doing so.
However, I am further directed to state that the allegation has been formally referred to the Department of State Services for a comprehensive investigation. 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.
“Please accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the National Security Adviser.”
Sources said the letter was initially rejected at El-Rufai’s Abuja residence by security operatives but was later delivered and received by the head of security on Sunday.
The development comes days after El-Rufai alleged during an interview on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television, that he accessed an intercepted telephone conversation in which Ribadu allegedly directed security operatives to arrest him.
