A former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has urged the Government of the United States to suspend intelligence sharing and wider security cooperation with the Federal Republic of Nigeria following public comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi about banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Nigeria maintains cooperation with foreign partners on intelligence and security matters, including the United States, to support counter‑terrorism and anti‑banditry efforts.
Nigerian authorities have recently described international collaboration as part of an intelligence‑based approach to addressing insecurity.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has appeared in media discussions on insecurity and dialogue with armed groups in northern Nigeria, attracting attention to the role of security agencies in ongoing violence.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Timi Frank said he was reacting to comments credited to Sheikh Gumi that suggested Nigerian authorities might know the identities and locations of bandits.
Frank said Nigerians “deserve to know why decisive action has not been taken” if the government indeed knows the names and locations of bandits and terrorists but has not acted decisively against them.
He stated that persistent kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country continue to generate public concern about national insecurity.
Frank called on the United States government to be cautious in its dealings with the Nigerian administration on security matters, saying the US should suspend intelligence sharing and security cooperation with the Nigerian government and its security chiefs.
He said that despite international support received by Nigeria, Nigerian soldiers continue to face significant risks in ongoing security operations.
Frank also appealed directly to former United States President Donald Trump, urging him to take a “strong and decisive stand” against groups responsible for violence in Nigeria.
He added that if the United States truly wants to assist Nigeria, it should support peace, security, and credible democratic processes.
Frank further called on members of the US Congress to pay closer attention to developments in Nigeria, particularly in relation to security and democratic governance.
The call by a former APC official for suspension of intelligence sharing and security collaboration with the United States follows public debate about foreign involvement in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Nigeria has engaged international partners in intelligence cooperation as part of efforts to combat insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
Intelligence sharing remains a key component of the Nigerian government’s stated approach to tackling insecurity, with officials describing collaboration with foreign intelligence agencies as essential to tracking financing and networks behind violent groups.
