A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday urged the United States government and President Donald Trump to suspend intelligence sharing and security cooperation with Nigeria over recent remarks attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on banditry and terrorism.

Frank, in a statement issued in Abuja, said comments credited to Gumi suggesting that Nigerian authorities may know the identities and locations of bandits raise troubling questions about the government’s response to insecurity.

“If it is true that the government knows the names of these bandits, knows where they are located and even knows their camps, then Nigerians deserve to know why decisive action has not been taken,” he said.

According to him, the continued surge in kidnappings and killings across the country indicates that insecurity has worsened despite claims that security agencies possess actionable intelligence about those responsible.

Frank argued that the deteriorating security situation, despite international assistance, raises suspicion that some individuals may be benefiting from the crisis. He alleged that Insecurity in the country has become a “profitable business” for certain actors within the system.

“Kidnappings have increased. Killings have escalated. Insecurity has worsened across the country. If a government truly knows the identities and locations of terrorists and bandits yet fails to act decisively, then that raises serious concerns,” he said.

The activist further alleged that the persistence of insecurity could be politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“They want the insecurity to persist because as long as insecurity continues in the country, it becomes an opportunity for them to rig the 2027 general elections,” he said.

“They do not care about Nigerians who are dying or those being kidnapped. They do not care about the suffering of the people or the need for good governance. All they care about is how to retain power using insecurity as a cover.”

Frank also called on the United States to exercise caution in its relationship with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in matters relating to intelligence cooperation.

“I am calling on the United States government to be very careful in its dealings with the current Nigerian administration. The U.S. should suspend intelligence sharing and security cooperation with the Nigerian government and its security chiefs,” he said.

He alleged that despite the security assistance Nigeria has received from the United States and other international partners, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.

“There appears to be a pattern where the government continues to receive security assistance and aid from the United States and other international partners, yet insecurity keeps worsening,” he said.

Frank also expressed concern that Nigerian soldiers continue to lose their lives in the fight against insurgency and banditry despite the military equipment and support provided by foreign partners.

“Today, Nigerian soldiers are dying in large numbers despite the equipment and support provided by the United States and other countries. With the level of support Nigeria has received, the war against insecurity should have recorded significant progress,” he said.

The activist appealed directly to President Trump to take a firm stance against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.

“We are appealing directly to President Donald Trump to take a strong and decisive stand. If the United States truly wants to help Nigeria defeat terrorism and make the country great again, It should be prepared to act firmly against those responsible for the violence,” he said.

He added that such actions should not depend solely on cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

“The United States should be ready to take bold steps in confronting terrorist networks threatening Nigeria, even if it means acting independently,” he said.

Frank, who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East and as Senior Adviser to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, also urged the United States Congress to pay closer attention to developments in Nigeria.

He called on the U.S. to support credible democratic processes in the country, noting that free and fair elections would strengthen governance and political stability.

According to him, stronger international engagement could help address Nigeria’s security challenges and restore public confidence in governance.

“If the United States truly wants to assist Nigeria, it should help ensure peace, security and credible democratic processes. That is how Nigeria can move forward and become stable and prosperous again,” he said. (The Guardian)

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