The political feud between former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, took a dramatic and serious turn on Sunday.
El-Rufai has formally accused Ribadu of overseeing the importation of a deadly poison, escalating their ongoing dispute with a letter demanding a full investigation.
In a letter dated Sunday and addressed to the NSA, the former governor alleged that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) procured approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate, a substance he described as a “highly toxic and tightly controlled” toxin, from a supplier in Poland.
The letter, titled “Request for Clarification on the Procurement of Thallium Sulphate,” was made public just days after El-Rufai accused Ribadu of orchestrating an attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday.
“Given 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,” the letter reads.
El-Rufai’s letter outlines six specific demands for clarification, pressing the NSA on:
- The intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate.
- The identity of the supplier and whether the material was imported under a valid permit.
- The total quantity and specific form of the substance procured.
- The storage and security arrangements for the material.
- The regulatory oversight and coordination with health agencies like NAFDAC and NCDC.
- The existence of any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans.
Stressing that the inquiry was made “in good faith,” El-Rufai warned of the dangers of the substance, which is banned in many jurisdictions for civilian use due to its extreme toxicity. He argued that public confidence in national institutions “is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed.”
The accusation of importing “poison” comes amidst a heated war of words between the two former top officials. It follows El-Rufai’s recent claim that he had access to a tapped phone conversation where Ribadu allegedly gave the order for his arrest.
“The government believes it is the only one that listens to calls, but we also have our ways. He made the call and gave the order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order,” El-Rufai had stated in an interview on ARISE Television.
This latest development also comes as El-Rufai prepares to honour an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, which he has consistently characterized as part of a government-orchestrated witch-hunt against him.
As of the time of this report, the Office of the National Security Adviser has not issued an official response to the grave allegations contained in El-Rufai’s letter.
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