The Senate has called for the National Security Adviser, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Director of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Defence Intelligence Agency to appear before it over allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding the terrorist group Boko Haram.
This call for an urgent investigation followed a motion raised by Senator Ali Ndume regarding concerns over the possibility that international organizations, including USAID, may be financing terrorist groups such as Boko Haram.
The motion was sparked by a viral video featuring U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, who alleged that USAID has been funding terrorist activities worldwide, including Boko Haram.
Ndume pointed out that this claim came after General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, raised concerns about terrorist groups in Nigeria receiving training and funding from international organizations.
This development follows Perry’s accusation that USAID’s annual budget, which includes funding for madrasas (Islamic schools), has inadvertently supported extremist groups such as the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and their local affiliates, including Boko Haram.
Perry’s statements were made during the inaugural session of an advisory body created by former President Donald Trump to reduce U.S. government spending. Perry argued that the USAID budget of $697 million might be indirectly supporting terrorist training camps.
His remarks align with ongoing criticism of Trump’s administration, which has been accused of attempting to undermine institutions like USAID. In January, Trump had also suspended all foreign aid for 90 days to assess whether the funds were aligned with America’s interests.
