The Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser, the Director of the DSS, the Director of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency to appear before it regarding allegations that the USAID is funding the terrorist group Boko Haram.
The request for an urgent investigation follows a motion raised by Senator Ali Ndume, highlighting the need to probe claims that international organizations, including USAID, are financing terrorist organizations like Boko Haram.
This concern arose after a viral video of U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, alleged that USAID had been involved in financing global terrorist activities, including Boko Haram.
Ndume pointed out that these claims surfaced shortly after General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, warned that international organizations may be providing sponsorship and training to terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
This follows a recent statement by Congressman Perry, who accused USAID of funding global terror groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda, as well as their affiliates such as Boko Haram.
Perry claimed that USAID’s annual budget of $697 million, which includes funding for madrasas (Islamic schools), has unintentionally supported terrorist training camps and extremist groups.
Perry, a member of Trump’s Republican Party, made these comments during a session of an advisory body formed by President Donald Trump to reduce U.S. government spending.
The U.S. president has faced criticism for attempting to discredit institutions like USAID and reduce their operations. Earlier in January, Trump suspended all foreign aid for 90 days to evaluate whether such spending aligned with American interests.
