Tinubu Commends NSA In Adamawa, Expresses Confidence Despite El-Rufai’s Allegations
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, during a visit to Adamawa State, describing him as committed and courageous in the discharge of his duties.
Speaking during the unveiling of some projects in the State on Monday, Tinubu commended Ribadu’s performance, expressing confidence in his leadership.
“The National Security Adviser is the true son of the soil. Nuhu Ribadu, I will say clearly here that you are doing an excellent job and we are seeing the results. With you, we will defeat the bandits and terrorists,” he said.
Tinubu further described Ribadu as “honest, bold, courageous, and committed to the job. I believe the State of Adamawa is strongly, strongly proud of you, because I am, too,” the president stated.
The president’s remarks come amid recent allegations made by the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the NSA.
El-Rufai, who returned to Nigeria from Egypt last Thursday, had made several allegations against Ribadu over his attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and demanded clarification over an alleged plan to obtain thallium sulphate from Poland.
The former Kaduna Governor, El’Rufai, in a letter to the NSA on Sunday, noted that the substance is highly dangerous and tightly regulated, stressing the need for transparency and outlining six areas in which he seeks explanations, including: “The intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate, the identity of the supplier and whether the importation followed due authorisation, the quantity and concentration involved, storage arrangements, and the regulatory oversight and coordination in place with NAFDAC, NCDC, and relevant public health and environmental agencies.”
For the sake of emphasis, El-Rufai said copies of the correspondence were sent to other relevant authorities.
While stressing that the request was made in good faith, he argued that openness would strengthen public trust in institutions.
However, the Office of the National Security Adviser has reportedly directed El-Rufai to submit evidence of the alleged procurement of Thallium Sulphate to the Department of State Services, DSS, for further investigation.
