By Vincent Egunyanga, Abuja
The face-off between former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, deepened on Sunday as the Office of the NSA formally denied allegations that it imported a highly toxic chemical into Nigeria.
The development comes on the eve of El-Rufai’s scheduled appearance before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today, amid an escalating row that now combines claims of illegal wiretapping, attempted arrest and alleged chemical procurement.
In a letter addressed to Ribadu and made public at the weekend, el-Rufai sought clarification over what he described as information available to opposition figures that about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate, a poisonous compound, had been imported into the country by the Office of the NSA from a supplier in Poland.
In the correspondence titled “Request for Clarification on the Procurement of Thallium Sulphate,” the former governor said he was acting as a concerned citizen and demanded transparency.
He noted that thallium compounds are extremely toxic, colourless and odourless, raising concerns about public safety.
He asked the NSA to clarify the intended use of the chemical, identify the supplier, and state whether appropriate chemical or defence permits covered the importation.
el-Rufai also demanded details on the exact quantity and concentration involved, how the substance would be stored and secured, and whether regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control were consulted or involved in oversight.
He further asked whether any public health risk assessment or hazard-mitigation plan had been developed, stressing that his inquiry was made “in good faith” to ensure due process, safety and public confidence in national institutions.
However, the Office of the NSA has flatly denied the allegation.
A senior official within ONSA, who spoke to Vanguard newspaper on the matter, described the claim as false and unfounded.
According to the official, the agency did not procure thallium sulphate as alleged.
The source dismissed the narrative as misinformation, insisting there was no such importation by the NSA’s office.
The denial adds a new dimension to the growing dispute, with both camps now firmly entrenched in opposing positions.
The chemical controversy erupted days after El-Rufai claimed during an interview on ARISE Television that Ribadu had ordered his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and that he became aware of the alleged directive because the NSA’s phone conversation was intercepted.
“The government believes it is the only one that listens to calls. We also have our ways,” El-Rufai said, suggesting that someone tapped Ribadu’s line and relayed the information to him.
*‘It’s dangerous for NSA’s lines to be tapped’
That statement has drawn widespread criticism, with security observers warning that any breach of the NSA’s communication channel, if true, would constitute a serious national security threat.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju publicly questioned the credibility of the allegations, arguing that the claims lacked verifiable evidence.
While acknowledging that sensitive materials can be procured legally by security agencies when necessary, he expressed scepticism about the toxic chemical narrative, suggesting it may be politically motivated.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga also weighed in, describing the wiretapping comment as disturbing and saying that any admission of unauthorised interception of official communication should be investigated.
Civil society groups have warned that “it is dangerous for the NSA’s lines to be tapped,” stressing that such an act could undermine national security architecture and erode public trust.
Meanwhile, el-Rufai has confirmed he will honour the invitation extended to him by the EFCC while he was overseas, dismissing claims of evasion and reiterating that he has nothing to hide.
