The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has expressed concerns over the operations of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria, calling them suspicious. His comments, made on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time program, come shortly after US Congressman Scott Perry from Pennsylvania accused USAID of funding terrorist organizations globally, including Boko Haram.
Perry made the allegations at the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering Government Efficiency, and the US Congress is currently investigating these claims. Ndume stressed the gravity of Perry’s allegations, noting that they came shortly after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had also raised concerns about Boko Haram being trained and funded by international organizations.
Ndume suggested that USAID’s operations should be thoroughly investigated, as the agency does not allow host countries to carry out oversight. He said, “They come under the pretense of helping when you are in dire need, so you don’t have the right to question any suspicions. Stopping their funding is our opportunity to investigate.”
He further noted that Nigeria’s military and security agencies feel constrained because they cannot question USAID’s activities. As a result, the Senate has decided to summon the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, along with the Directors-General of the Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, and Defence Intelligence Agency, to appear before the Senate and provide explanations on the matter. This decision followed a motion moved by Ndume and co-sponsored by five other senators.
In response, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, firmly denied the allegations. He stated that there is no evidence linking USAID to funding Boko Haram or any terrorist group.
Mills emphasized that the United States strongly condemns Boko Haram’s violence and assured that if any evidence surfaces, the US government would collaborate with the Nigerian government to investigate the matter.
