Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria, has urged the United States government to suspend its intelligence sharing and security cooperation with Nigeria. This request was made in light of controversial comments made by Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi, who suggested that Nigerian authorities may have knowledge of both the identities and locations of various bandits, raising significant concerns about the security situation in the country. Frank's statement comes amid persistent issues of kidnapping and violence that have plagued different regions in Nigeria, prompting calls for accountability from the government.

In an interview on DRTV, Ahmad Gumi had indicated that dialogue could help mitigate the violence in Nigeria’s North, mentioning that his efforts to engage with bandit groups involve collaboration with security agencies. However, Frank contends that this raises alarming questions about the government's awareness and potential inaction regarding the rampant criminal activities. He insists that if the authorities do have this knowledge, Nigerians deserve a comprehensive explanation as to why effective measures have not been implemented to address ongoing kidnappings and killings.

Frank's call for the US to reconsider its intelligence partnership with Nigeria highlights the broader implications of internal security challenges on international relations. The security cooperation between the US and Nigeria has historically included sharing critical intelligence aimed at combating terrorism and insurgency. However, the increasing public scrutiny over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s response to banditry and the apparent complicity or negligence of state actors can strain international partnerships and affect future collaboration in security efforts.