Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly - Politics - Nairaland
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| Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Dogalmighty17(op): 3:29pm On Feb 15*. Modified: 3:45pm On Feb 15 |
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has recently and openly accused the office of the NSA of importing a very dangerous and toxic compound into the country. That compound is Thallium Sulphate, an odourless, colourless and tasteless compound with a level of toxicity that only VX, sarin gas, dimethyl mecury and possibly dioxygen difluoride (FOOF) exceed. Thallium Sulphate has no known security applications and as such questions need to be asked why the office of the NSA has allegedly imported kilogrammes of a substance that just 1gram can be a fatal dose to anyone. Can Thallium Sulphate be aerosolised? Yes it can. This means large gatherings of opposition figures can easily be targeted. The deleterious effects of this very dangerous substance becomes noticeable anytime from 2 days to 2 months. Death is guaranteed. Prolonged exposure to the crystalline form of this chemical leads to rapid absorbtion through the skin. This chemical can be sprinkled on the seat of someone targeted for elimination and that's it. Thallium is harder to detect in the blood than most metallic compounds and it is also very easily secreted by the body. So an autopsy might not even detect it as the principal cause of death because it has long been eliminated by the body. This substance is the perfect fit for killing people without leaving a trace. If the plan is not to kill as many in the opposition as possible, why was this chemical imported into the country? Assuming ofcourse El-Rufai is to be believed. The government needs to come clean and if it turns out that El-Rufai is just needlessly being alarmist without factual evidence of his assertions, the government needs to subject him to the consequences of his actions as permitted under the law. We must all demand answers. This is a slippery slope this nation cannot afford to be on right now. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by jchioma: 4:23pm On Feb 15 |
If the allegation is true as alleged, then expect unexplained deaths of opposition figures in the days and months ahead. It would be attributed to everything but the real cause. Operation do or die! Going forward, extreme caution should be taken around key opposition figures and their supporters. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 4:29pm On Feb 15 |
Rubbish. You get clearance from the NSA and not the other way round. The NSA owes no one explanation on what is imported. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by AMINDA: 4:49pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:In a gestapo-like government and an emerging dictatorship, yes. But Nigeria is none of these. At least, not yet. The NSA should tell Nigerians what business he has importing a poison and potential assassination weapon into the country. Or clarify if the allegations are wrong. Thallium sulphate is a controlled substance and is banned all over the world. It is not a conventional weapon for the NSA to be importing. It qualifies as a chemical weapon instead. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by ogashman(m): 5:16pm On Feb 15 |
Their defense in the coming days would be that it was to be used to kill the terrorists inhabitanting our forests. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 5:18pm On Feb 15 |
AMINDA:Sue the NSA to court and see if any judge would rule in your favour. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by AMINDA: 5:25pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:Are we now bragging with qualities and attributes of a failed state? |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 5:28pm On Feb 15 |
AMINDA:I'm insisting there is nowhere in the world that a national intelligence and security agency would have to declare its reason for importing anything. Maybe this is too complex for you to understand. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by AMINDA: 5:35pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:You are incorrect. They have to declare to the members of the Senate Committee on Defence. The NSA is just an appointee of the president and even the president cannot do whatever he likes in a democracy. Are you saying the NSA is at liberty to import whatever conventional and unconventional weapons he pleases without any oversight and scrutiny? |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 5:49pm On Feb 15*. Modified: 6:09pm On Feb 15 |
AMINDA:No, they don't. Whatever the NSA declares as classified, follows laid down protocol. Usually the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence can get a report. It is not for public consumption. . |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by AMINDA: 6:32pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:How about the president? Is he aware of the importation of the contraband untraceable, odourless, colourless substance or the NSA reports to no one once the information is "classified?" |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 6:33pm On Feb 15 |
AMINDA:Did the president say he isn't? |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by AMINDA: 6:33pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:Okay. So he is? Noted. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by IBB007(m): 6:35pm On Feb 15 |
lol…there’s a serious leak in the ONSA…that’s why US no dey share intel with naija |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 6:35pm On Feb 15 |
AMINDA:It's a national security issue. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by sailor2011(m): 6:46pm On Feb 15 |
El rufai is a terrorists enabler ...He has confessed tos wiretapping the communication of the NSA illegally....with this latest outburst from the midget , the FGN should move quickly....deal decisively with him ...else a precedent will be establish.... |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by AMINDA: 6:46pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:National security issue indeed. A substance banned everywhere in the world, including in the U.S. So much that they have to go to Poland to import it into the country. Okay o. The "CIA Asset" connection is beginning to make sense but know that poison is the weapon of the cowardly. "Thallium Sulphate is a highly toxic, odourless inorganic salt that has historically been used as a potent rodenticide and insecticide. It was banned in many regions, including the U.S., where there are allegations that it was used by the CIA. Extremely toxic to humans and animals, Thallium Sulphate acts as a cumulative poison, affecting the nervous system and hair. Thallium Sulphate, which has been dubbed the "perfect poison" has symptoms manifesting in hair loss (alopecia), severe stomach pain, and neurological damage (numbness, pain in extremities)."
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| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Hankim: 6:50pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:You are not being mature with your incoherent epistles, Spit |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by AMINDA: 6:52pm On Feb 15 |
sailor2011:Are you scared? He has a lot more info to release. Incarcerating him changes nothing. We now know why they tried to abduct him at the airport. One Malam Elrufai is equivalent to 20,000 Agbadorian bots and data boys. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 6:53pm On Feb 15 |
Hankim:You should visit the doctor for your spitting problem. Could be gonno kakus. ![]() |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Gajagojo: 6:55pm On Feb 15 |
Dogalmighty17:fact check this nonsense by copying and pasting into ChatGPT |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Hankim: 6:57pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:Immaturity is smelling everywhere, why won’t I spit |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Gajagojo: 6:57pm On Feb 15 |
Dogalmighty17:Here’s a careful, evidence‑based fact check of the main scientific claims in that post. I’ll separate **what’s accurate**, **what’s exaggerated or misleading**, and **what’s unsupported**. --- ## 1) What is thallium sulphate? **Mostly accurate description of its basic properties.** Thallium(I) sulfate is a highly toxic, colorless, odorless inorganic salt. It was historically used as a rodenticide and insecticide but has been banned or heavily restricted in many countries due to extreme toxicity. So yes: * It is **very toxic**. * It is **colorless and odorless**. * It has a history of use as a poison. --- ## 2) “Only VX, sarin, dimethyl mercury and possibly FOOF exceed it in toxicity” This is **misleading and exaggerated**. * VX and Sarin are **nerve agents** that are significantly more acutely toxic than thallium compounds, especially via inhalation. * Dimethylmercury is extremely toxic. * Dioxygen difluoride (FOOF) is highly reactive and dangerous but not typically discussed in real-world poisoning scenarios. However, the claim that *only* those substances exceed thallium sulphate in toxicity is false. There are many substances (e.g., botulinum toxin, ricin, certain nerve agents, cyanide compounds, etc.) that are more acutely toxic than thallium salts. So the comparison is **dramatic but scientifically inaccurate**. --- ## 3) “1 gram can be a fatal dose to anyone” **Partially misleading.** Thallium salts are highly toxic, and doses in the **hundreds of milligrams to about 1 gram** range can be fatal depending on: * Body weight * Route of exposure * Speed of treatment But: * It is **not guaranteed** that exactly 1 gram kills “anyone.” * Modern treatment (e.g., Prussian blue therapy) can significantly improve survival if administered in time. So the statement is **overstated and simplified**. --- ## 4) “Can thallium sulphate be aerosolised?” Technically: **Yes, in theory** — many powders can be dispersed into air. Practically: * Thallium sulphate is **not volatile**. * Effective large-scale aerosol poisoning would be technically difficult. * It is **not a known military-grade aerosol chemical weapon**. This part of the post suggests feasibility in a way that **overstates practicality**. --- ## 5) “Death is guaranteed” **False.** Thallium poisoning can be fatal, but: * It is **not uniformly fatal**. * Survival depends on dose and speed of medical intervention. * Death is *not guaranteed*. This is alarmist language. --- ## 6) “Absorbed rapidly through the skin” **Partially true.** Thallium salts: * Can be absorbed through skin. * Are more dangerous via ingestion. But the idea that sprinkling crystals on a chair would reliably cause fatal poisoning is speculative and dramatized. Dermal absorption does occur, but this description simplifies and exaggerates lethality. --- ## 7) “Harder to detect and easily eliminated, so autopsy may not detect it” **Misleading.** Thallium: * Can be detected in blood, urine, and hair using modern toxicology methods. * Is not “impossible” to detect. * Is actually well known in forensic toxicology because of its history as a poison. It is **not undetectable**, nor is it the “perfect trace-free poison.” --- ## “No known security applications”This is mostly accurate. Thallium compounds: * Are not standard military or intelligence tools. * Have legitimate laboratory and industrial uses in some contexts. * Have historically been used as rodenticides (now restricted). But without independent evidence of the alleged importation, this is a political claim, not a scientific one. --- # Overall Assessment The post mixes: ✔️ Real facts: * Thallium sulphate is highly toxic. * It is colorless and odorless. * It has been used historically as poison. ❌ Exaggerations: * “Only VX, sarin, etc. exceed it” * “Death is guaranteed” * “Perfect fit for killing without leaving a trace” ⚠️ Speculative / unsupported claims: * Ease of mass aerosol attacks * Reliable assassination by sprinkling powder * Claims about government importation (no evidence provided in the text) --- # Bottom Line Scientifically: * Thallium sulphate is indeed dangerous. * The post significantly exaggerates its uniqueness, lethality certainty, and forensic invisibility. * Several statements are alarmist and not technically accurate. Politically: * The claim about importation cannot be verified from the quoted text alone and would require independent evidence. If you'd like, I can also break down how thallium poisoning actually presents medically and how it’s detected in forensic toxicology (purely from a public health perspective). |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 7:02pm On Feb 15 |
AMINDA:Hold your roll: Thallium sulfate, a highly toxic chemical, is used as a restricted pesticide/rodenticide in some developing nations, including parts of Africa and Latin America, and has historic or specialized use for, or as a component in, electronic components, photo-electric cells, and research. It was previously widespread as a rat killer before being banned in many countries due to its extreme toxicity, with recent concerns involving potential malicious use in Africa. Key Uses and Countries Pesticide/Rodenticide: Although banned in most Western countries (including the U.S. since 1972) due to high, non-selective toxicity, it remains in use in certain developing countries for controlling rodent populations and ant infestations. Industrial Applications: The chemical is used in manufacturing high-refractive index glass, fiber optic materials, and in the semiconductor industry. Specialized Uses: Used in research laboratories as a source of thallium for synthesizing other compounds. Malicious Use/Security: Due to being odorless and tasteless, it has been historically used as a poison and was reported in 2026 to have been procured by security agencies in certain regions. Main Consumers and Production China, Japan, and South Korea: Recognized as the primary consumers, largely due to the demand in the electronics and specialized glass manufacturing industries. Kazakhstan: l Cited as a location where thallium is separated, refined, and cast into ingots. While its use in consumer products is heavily restricted globally, industrial, research, and specific agricultural applications continue in limited capacities worldwide. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by KosiGee(m): 7:10pm On Feb 15 |
Remember Dora Akunyili. A bubbling healthy and physically strong woman. All of a sudden, her health deteriorated. I think her death should be investigated. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Fynx: 7:48pm On Feb 15 |
Truly, you dwell in a cave.bSo national intelligence is blanket to do anything. Why then did your sponsors arrest and detain Dasuki? Amoeba Flangelo12: |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Flangelo12: 7:52pm On Feb 15 |
KosiGee:Her people wanted to kpai her: Professor Dora Akunyili, the former Director-General of Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), survived an assassination attempt on December 26, 2003. The Attack: Gunmen fired on her convoy while she was traveling to her village in Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria. Near-Miss: A bullet went through her headscarf and passed through the windscreen of her car, burning her hair, but she escaped injury. Motive: The attack was orchestrated by counterfeit drug kingpins who were heavily impacted by her strict regulatory actions against fake drugs. Aftermath: Following the incident, several suspects were arrested, and a trial took place in an Abuja High Court. Despite constant death threats against her, her family, and her staff, she continued her work. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by Walai(m): 8:07pm On Feb 15 |
Its very necessary now, the illegal govt is desperate IBB007: |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by SisterAnn(f): 8:50pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:And so who is the Senate committee working for? Who elected them to become senators? Who are they representing? You see how you make an arse when you decide to defend BS? |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by SisterAnn(f): 8:53pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:If he isn't he should be very disturbed about his own safety especially considering a failed coup attempt that was intended to kpai him and the princes started from office of ONSA. And if he's aware, who or what does he plan to use it on? |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by SisterAnn(f): 8:55pm On Feb 15 |
Flangelo12:Of course it is. Opposition to Tinubu's government must come with grave consequences. |
| Re: Why Thallium Sulphate Is So Deadly by SisterAnn(f): 8:57pm On Feb 15 |
Gajagojo:Someone in the main thread already confronted you with the response from chatgpt. All your positions have been ragdolled, what else are you still prowling for? |
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“No known security applications”