A dispute has emerged over allegations that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA) imported a highly toxic substance, with a prominent lawyer dismissing the claim as propaganda from a former governor with a history of controversy.
Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), wrote to the NSA’s office on Sunday questioning why thallium sulphate, a highly poisonous chemical, was allegedly imported from Poland. Thallium sulphate is a tasteless, odorless compound historically used as a pesticide and rodenticide, banned in many countries due to its extreme toxicity and potential for misuse.
The NSA has not commented on the allegation. The claim has divided political opinion along party lines. The APC has categorically rejected the assertion, while opposition figures have demanded an immediate investigation into the matter.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju responded to the allegation on social media platform X. While acknowledging the possibility that the NSA’s office could import such materials for legitimate security or research purposes, Adeyanju argued the source invalidated the claim. He described El-Rufai as “an unrepentant liar, a bigot, and a person without shame,” referencing past statements made by the former governor, including a previous allegation that former President Goodluck Jonathan maintained a “sniper list” of critics.
The confrontation highlights the persistent political tensions within Nigeria’s elite. El-Rufai remains a powerful and vocal figure in the APC, known for his contentious rhetoric. His letter puts the NSA, a key security office, under public scrutiny without providing substantiating evidence.
The lack of a formal response from the NSA’s office leaves the allegation unaddressed by the institution concerned. The call for a probe from opposition circles sets the stage for potential parliamentary or public demands for accountability. The episode underscores how allegations, even those involving sensitive security matters, can become immediately politicised, with credibility often assessed through partisan lenses rather than on initial evidentiary grounds. The significance lies in the potential erosion of institutional trust and the weaponisation of serious accusations in Nigeria’s ongoing political discourse.
