ABUJA — The political landscape of the Federal Capital Territory was rocked on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as a terrifying new allegation surfaced: the suspected importation of a deadly, odorless poison by the Nigerian government.
In a move that has sent chills through the public, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has formally challenged the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to explain why the government reportedly procured thallium sulphate—a highly toxic substance—from Poland.
The “Odorless Killer” Allegation
The controversy erupted after a letter from El-Rufai to the NSA was leaked to the press. In it, the former governor, who has recently styled himself as a whistleblower against the Tinubu administration, demanded “urgent clarification” on the purpose, quantity, and safety protocols surrounding the alleged shipment.
Thallium sulphate is the stuff of nightmares in the world of toxicology. Odorless, colorless, and tasteless, it was historically used as a rat poison but has been banned or heavily restricted in most countries due to its extreme danger to humans. It attacks the nervous system and causes hair loss, organ failure, and a painful death, often going undetected in its victims.
ONSA Hits Back: “Show Us Your Proof”
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has fired back with a total denial. In a sharp rebuttal, the ONSA stated it has never initiated any procurement for thallium sulphate and has now referred the matter to the Department of State Services (DSS) for a full-scale investigation.
In what is being described as a “legal ambush,” the government has officially invited El-Rufai to provide evidence for his claims. “If the former governor has the receipts for this supposed poison, now is the time to bring them forward,” a source within the security architecture noted.
“A Thriller Gone Wrong”—Nigerians Blast the Elite
While the two political heavyweights trade accusations of poison and wiretapping, the Nigerian public has reacted with a mix of horror and utter exhaustion. On the streets of Abuja and across social media, the criticism has been relentless.
- “Is This a Government or a Cartel?”: “One day we hear about phone tapping, the next day it’s about importing poison from Poland,” remarked Chidi Okechukwu, a Lagos-based analyst. “Nigerians are struggling to buy bread, but the people in the Villa are busy with a plot that sounds like a Hollywood thriller. It’s a disgrace.”
- Safety Fears: Beyond the political drama, there is genuine fear. “If it’s true that 10kg of this stuff is in the country, who is safe? We don’t have the medical facilities to treat common malaria, let alone thallium poisoning,” tweeted a concerned citizen.
- The “Distraction” Theory: Many Nigerians believe the scandal is a “convenient distraction” from the ₦423 billion Kaduna probe and the ongoing budget crisis. Critics argue that both sides are using “scare tactics” to manipulate public sentiment while the economy crumbles.
The Legal Trap
The poison scandal adds another layer to the “civil war” between El-Rufai and his former best friend, Nuhu Ribadu. It comes just 24 hours after the DSS filed cybercrime charges against El-Rufai for allegedly bugging Ribadu’s phone.
As the DSS prepares to interrogate El-Rufai over his “Polish poison” claims, many wonder if the former governor has truly uncovered a plot or if this is a final, desperate gambit to force the government into a political truce.
