By Charles Maduka
The office of the national security adviser (ONSA) has asked Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, to submit any evidence in his possession regarding the alleged procurement of thallium sulphate to the Department of State Services for investigation.
Thallium sulphate is a highly toxic, colourless and odourless substance capable of causing death even in small quantities.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, el-Rufai alleged that the chemical was reportedly sourced from a supplier in Poland.
In its response, ONSA denied the allegation and requested that el-Rufai forward any supporting evidence to the DSS to enable a comprehensive inquiry.
Sources informed TheCable that an attempt to deliver the reply to el-Rufai’s Abuja residence on Friday was initially unsuccessful, as security personnel on duty reportedly declined to accept the letter. They were said to have informed the dispatch clerk that the head of security was absent and that they were unsure when el-Rufai would be available.
The letter was eventually delivered on Sunday, with the head of security signing for and receiving it on el-Rufai’s behalf.
The response, dated February 13, 2026, was signed by Brigadier-General OM Adesuyi on behalf of the national security adviser.
In the letter, Adesuyi acknowledged receipt of el-Rufai’s correspondence, which sought clarification on the alleged procurement of about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate by ONSA. He stated that the office had neither procured nor initiated any process to purchase the substance and had no intention of doing so.
He further noted that the allegation had been formally referred to the DSS for a detailed investigation and that el-Rufai and other parties who might have relevant information would be invited by the service to assist in establishing the facts.
On Friday, el-Rufai also claimed that he had accessed an intercepted telephone conversation involving Ribadu.
Speaking during a Prime Time programme on Arise Television, he alleged that Ribadu’s phone was tapped and that he listened to a conversation in which the national security adviser purportedly directed security operatives to arrest him.
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