Mohamed Garba
In a recent development, Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has urged the Nigerian Federal Government to launch a thorough investigation into claims made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry. Perry alleges that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been channeling funds to terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.
During a session of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, Perry asserted that approximately $697 million in U.S. aid has been diverted to groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. He also highlighted concerns over $136 million allocated by USAID for constructing 120 schools in Pakistan, for which there is reportedly no evidence of completion.
Senator Ndume, speaking on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics,” emphasized the gravity of these allegations. He stated, “This development is very worrisome, especially because one of the terrorist organizations mentioned by Scott Perry is Boko Haram, which has ravaged not only the North-East but other parts of Nigeria.” Ndume called for both the Nigerian government and the National Assembly to investigate and verify the veracity of such weighty claims.
In response to these allegations, the Nigerian Senate has summoned top intelligence and security officials, including the heads of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser (NSA), to provide a comprehensive briefing on the matter.
These developments underscore the urgency of addressing potential external funding sources that may be fueling terrorism within Nigeria. A transparent and thorough investigation is essential to ensure that humanitarian aid serves its intended purpose without inadvertently supporting violent extremism.
