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By Oscar Okhifo, Abuja
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has applauded the decision of United States President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged widespread human rights violations and continued insecurity.
Trump had on Friday posted on his Truth Social platform that attacks on Christians in Nigeria had reached what he described as “an existential threat,” while accusing radical extremists of carrying out “mass slaughter.”
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN, but that is the least of it,” the U.S. President wrote.
In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, Frank described the move as bold and long overdue, insisting it shows international acknowledgement of the Nigerian government’s failure to protect its own citizens.
“We commend President Trump for taking this stand and it is long overdue,” he said.
“By this action, President Trump has shown he cares more about the welfare and safety of ordinary Nigerians than those elected to lead them.”
Frank alleged that the growing insecurity in the country is being fuelled by corruption and a culture of impunity among some government officials.
He urged the U.S. to ensure that any sanctions arising from the CPC designation are directed solely at officials implicated in human rights abuses and corruption rather than innocent Nigerians already bearing the consequences of insecurity.
“We appeal to the United States to protect ordinary Nigerians from the fallout of sanctions after due investigations,” he said. “The measures should be directed at those directly responsible for the atrocities, not at citizens already suffering from the government’s failures, Christians and non-Christians alike.”
Frank accused officials within the current administration of being unwilling to prosecute terrorists and bandits responsible for widespread killings, claiming instead that they continue to hold negotiations with criminal groups.
“Insecurity has become a business for some within the system. Corruption and impunity are the twin engines driving this crisis,” he alleged.
He further called on the U.S. and other world powers to impose visa bans, freeze assets and block access to illicit wealth belonging to corrupt Nigerian politicians.
Frank warned that failure to take decisive global action could deepen Nigeria’s humanitarian and economic crisis, leading to more casualties and displaced communities.
“The recurring bloodshed is a direct reflection of governance failure,” he said. “Officials entrusted with protecting lives must be held accountable when they fail.”
He added that Trump’s intervention has given hope to Nigerians who feel abandoned by their leaders.