The Nigerian Senate has summoned top security officials over allegations that USAID funds Boko Haram. U.S. Congressman Scott Perry claimed that USAID’s budget has supported terrorist activities, prompting concerns from lawmakers. The Senate seeks a thorough investigation to determine the truth and assess security risks.
The Nigerian Senate has summoned key security officials, including the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the heads of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), to address allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been financing Boko Haram.
The move follows a motion by Senator Ali Ndume, who called for an urgent probe into claims made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry. Perry, a Republican representative from Pennsylvania, alleged during a congressional hearing that USAID has been funding terrorist groups worldwide, including Boko Haram in Nigeria.
Lawmakers expressed deep concern over the viral video of Perry’s claims, which surfaced shortly after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned that international organizations might be sponsoring and training terrorist groups operating in the country.
According to Perry, USAID’s annual budget of $697 million has been used to fund extremist activities, including training camps. He further alleged that financial aid was funneled into religious schools, some of which serve as recruitment grounds for terror networks.
The allegations have sparked intense debate, with critics arguing that they could be politically motivated, especially given former U.S. President Donald Trump’s past moves to cut foreign aid. The Senate has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the validity of the claims and assess the implications for Nigeria’s security.
