El-Rufai Seeks NSA Clarification on Toxic Chemical Import Amid Alleged Arrest Plot

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has asked the National Security Adviser (NSA) to clarify reports that the office plans to import about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from Poland, a highly toxic and tightly controlled substance.

In a letter dated January 30, 2026, El-Rufai said he was writing “as a concerned citizen” to seek “clarification and reassurance regarding information available to the political opposition leadership” about the procurement. He outlined six areas for explanation, including the intended purpose of the chemical, the identity of the supplier, authorisation procedures, quantity and concentration, storage arrangements, and regulatory oversight in coordination with NAFDAC, NCDC, and other public health and environmental agencies. He also asked whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans had been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.

“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,” El-Rufai added. He stressed that his inquiry was “made in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed,” and requested a response or point of contact within the NSA’s office for further engagement.

The development comes amid a recent attempt by security operatives to arrest El-Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. In a Friday interview on Arise TV, he claimed he learned of the alleged plan through a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone, adding: “Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me.”

This occurs against the backdrop of ongoing debates about election cycles, national security management, and the role of oversight institutions, with opposition actors increasingly demanding transparency from federal authorities on sensitive procurements.

As of filing, the NSA’s office had not publicly responded to El-Rufai’s letter.