The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSC) has instructed Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, to formally submit any evidence in his possession concerning claims of toxic chemical procurement to the Department of State Services for a detailed investigation.
Gatekeepers News reports that sources disclosed that the directive followed a letter sent by el-Rufai to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in which he alleged that about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate had been sourced from a supplier in Poland.
In a response dated February 13, 2026, and written on behalf of the National Security Adviser by Brigadier-General OM Adesuyi, the ONSA firmly denied any involvement in the purchase or planned acquisition of the chemical substance. The office also dismissed claims that it had initiated or intended to initiate any such transaction.
The letter stated that the allegation had been formally referred to the Department of State Services for a comprehensive probe. It further explained that El-Rufai and any other individuals with relevant information would be invited by the agency to provide supporting evidence to aid a thorough investigation aimed at establishing the facts and ensuring due process.
However, the delivery of the response to el-Rufai reportedly faced initial challenges. A copy sent to his Abuja residence on Friday was rejected by security personnel on duty, who claimed the head of security was unavailable and could not confirm when el-Rufai would be present. The letter was eventually received on Sunday, with the head of security signing for it on his behalf.
In a related development, el-Rufai claimed on Friday that he had listened to an intercepted telephone conversation allegedly involving Ribadu. Speaking during a live broadcast of the Prime Time programme on Arise Television, he said the conversation suggested that security operatives had been directed to arrest him, alleging that Ribadu’s phone line had been tapped.
The claims have since sparked widespread public debate, with calls from political figures and civil society groups urging transparency, restraint, and a swift investigation to clarify the matter and prevent escalation of tensions.
