Nigeria’s national security office has strongly refuted an allegation that it secretly obtained a deadly chemical substance linked to poisoning.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) dismissed claims that it acquired thallium sulphate, a lethal compound known for its ability to cause death even in very small quantities.
The reaction followed a letter written on 30 January 2026 by the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. In his message, El-Rufai alleged that opposition figures had received intelligence indicating that about 10 kilograms of the poisonous substance had been purchased from a Polish supplier on the NSA’s behalf.
Responding officially, Brigadier General OM Adesuyi, who signed the reply for Ribadu, confirmed that the letter had been received but firmly rejected the accusation. He stated that the ONSA had not bought the chemical, had not begun any steps toward acquiring it, and had no plans to do so.
The response also revealed that the matter had been handed over to the State Security Service for a detailed probe. According to the letter, El-Rufai and anyone else with useful information would be asked to come forward and assist investigators in verifying the facts.
This development highlights growing tension between Ribadu and El-Rufai, who were once close associates. Both men built their national reputations during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. At the time, they were widely seen as central figures in the government’s reform and anti-corruption drive. However, their relationship has since deteriorated, and the current dispute over the alleged chemical purchase represents one of their most serious public disagreements to date.
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