Ribadu asks El-Rufai to provide proof of alleged toxic chemical purchase

The Office of the National Security Adviser has asked Nasir el‑Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, to submit evidence backing his claim that the agency procured thallium sulphate, a highly toxic chemical.

Sources said the directive followed a letter El-Rufai wrote to Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, dated January 30, 2026, in which he alleged that the substance was sourced from a supplier in Poland.

Thallium sulphate is a colourless, odourless compound that can be fatal to humans even in small quantities.

In its response, the Office of the National Security Adviser denied the allegation and asked El-Rufai to forward any supporting evidence to the Department of State Services for a full investigation.

However, sources told TheCable that an attempt to deliver the response letter to El-Rufai’s Abuja residence on Friday was unsuccessful after security personnel reportedly declined to receive it, saying the head of security was not available and they did not know when he would return.

The letter was eventually delivered on Sunday and received by the head of security on his behalf.

The reply, dated February 13, 2026, was signed by Brigadier General OM Adesuyi on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser. It stated that the agency neither procured nor initiated any process to purchase thallium sulphate and had no intention of doing so.

The statement added that the allegation had been referred to the DSS for a comprehensive probe and that all parties with relevant information would be invited to assist investigators.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai said he had listened to an intercepted phone conversation allegedly involving Ribadu. Speaking on a programme on Arise Television, he claimed someone tapped the NSA’s phone and that he heard instructions being given to security operatives to arrest him.