By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna <\/p>\n
According to Science Direct, Thallium sulfate is a highly toxic, tasteless, odourless, and colourless crystalline powder, historically used as a potent rodenticide and insecticide. Due to extreme toxicity, with a human fatal dose as low as 8\u201312 mg\/kg, it is tightly restricted or banned in many countries.<\/p>\n
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has written to the Office of the National Security Adviser, seeking clarification over the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance, Thallium Sulphate, reportedly by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).<\/p>\n
In a letter addressed to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja, dated January 30, 2026 and received on February 11, 2026 by ONSA, El-Rufai said he was acting \u201cas a concerned citizen\u201d in requesting details about what he described as the procurement of \u201capproximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate\u201d allegedly sourced from a supplier in Poland.<\/p>\n
According to Science Direct, Thallium sulfate is a highly toxic, tasteless, odourless, and colourless crystalline powder, historically used as a potent rodenticide and insecticide. Due to extreme toxicity, with a human fatal dose as low as 8\u201312 mg\/kg, it is tightly restricted or banned in many countries. <\/p>\n
It mimics potassium in the body, causing severe nervous system damage, hair loss, and potential death. <\/p>\n
The letter, titled \u201cRequest for Clarification on the Procurement of Thallium Sulphate,\u201d raised a number of questions about the purpose, regulatory compliance and safety arrangements surrounding the reported acquisition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am writing as a concerned citizen to seek clarification and reassurance regarding information available to the political opposition leadership about a procurement of approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), reportedly from a supplier in Poland,\u201d El-Rufai wrote.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the hazardous nature of the substance, he noted, \u201cGiven that thallium salts are highly toxic and tightly controlled substances, I believe it is important – for public safety, democratic accountability and for maintaining public trust – to confirm the following details.\u201d<\/p>\n
He then listed six specific areas where he sought clarification: \u201cThe intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate. The supplier identity and whether the material was imported under an existing chemical or defence permit. The total quantity and specific form or concentration being procured or already procured. The storage and security arrangements for the material upon arrival. The regulatory oversight and coordination in place with NAFDAC, NCDC, and relevant public-health and environmental agencies. Whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans have been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.\u201d<\/p>\n
El-Rufai emphasised that his inquiry was not intended to inflame tensions but to ensure due process and transparency.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to stress that this inquiry is made in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed. Public confidence in the integrity of national institutions is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
He further requested continued engagement from the National Security Adviser\u2019s office, writing, \u201cIf possible, I would appreciate a response or a point of contact within your office for further engagement to reassure those of us that are Nigerian citizens in opposition.\u201d<\/p>\n
For transparency, El-Rufai said he copied the correspondence to the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as well as the National Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the People\u2019s Democratic Party (PDP).<\/p>\n
His enquiry comes amid claims that the National Security Adviser, Ribadu, ordered his arrest, leading to a recent altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.<\/p>\n
It also comes amid mixed reactions after El-Rufai claimed that an individual had tapped the NSA\u2019s phone and confirmed Ribadu\u2019s involvement in the attempt to have him arrested.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna According to Science Direct, Thallium sulfate is a highly toxic, tasteless, odourless, and colourless crystalline powder, historically used as a potent rodenticide and insecticide. Due to extreme toxicity, with a human fatal dose as low as 8\u201312 mg\/kg, it is tightly restricted or banned in many countries. Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11097"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11098,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11097\/revisions\/11098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}