Senate Probes USAID Over Alleged Boko Haram Funding, Summons Security Chiefs

Akpabio: USAID Offices Have No Business in Nigeria if Found Funding Boko Haram
FG Promises Restoration of Infrastructure Destroyed by Boko Haram

Barely a week after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was implicated in an alleged terror funding inquest, the Nigerian Senate has taken decisive action. In its first official response, the federal government has summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, along with the heads of key intelligence agencies, including the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Chief, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye. The Senate has launched an investigation into the allegations.

This development follows a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, which reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all assistance provided to Nigeria is properly monitored and reaches its intended recipients. The U.S. also pledged to continue working with Nigeria and regional partners to combat terrorism and strengthen security in West Africa.

The controversy erupted after U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, alleged during a congressional hearing that USAID has been funding global terrorist groups, including Boko Haram. Perry claimed that American taxpayer money—amounting to $697 million annually—was being misused to finance extremist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and Khorasan. He further accused USAID of misallocating $136 million, initially intended for building 120 schools in Pakistan, with no evidence of their existence. A video of Perry’s statements has since gone viral.

During plenary, the Senate adopted a motion presented by former Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, urging lawmakers to treat the allegations with utmost seriousness. He emphasized that a thorough investigation was necessary to unravel how non-state actors have managed to sustain their operations over the years.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio endorsed the resolution but stressed that security matters should be handled behind closed doors. He stated that intelligence chiefs would provide a clearer picture in a private briefing before further steps are taken. However, no date has been set for their appearance before the Senate.

Akpabio also insisted that Nigeria must verify the credibility of the allegations, warning that if USAID is found guilty of sponsoring Boko Haram, it would no longer be allowed to operate in the country.

“If it is true that USAID has been funding Boko Haram in Nigeria, we have no business allowing them to have offices in Nigeria. Before we take decisive action and demand accountability, we must first conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.

The allegations come amid concerns raised by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who recently warned that Boko Haram and other terrorist groups receive sponsorship and training from international organizations.

“For years, Boko Haram’s funding sources and operational strategies have remained a mystery. The destruction they have caused—such as the 2011 bombing of the UN building, the attack on the police headquarters in Abuja, and numerous other assaults—has resulted in thousands of deaths, massive displacement, and extensive property damage,” Akpabio added.

While the federal government has yet to issue an official response, President Bola Tinubu reportedly met with Senate President Akpabio at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja shortly after the Senate’s plenary session. The details of their closed-door discussion remain undisclosed.

Meanwhile, elders from Nigeria’s northeast region have demanded the expulsion of USAID and other foreign donor organizations from the region over the alleged terrorism financing.

The Borno Elders Forum, led by its Secretary, Dr. Bulama Male Gubio, urged the Nigerian government to allow former U.S. President Donald Trump to proceed with an independent investigation into Congressman Perry’s claims. USAID has been under scrutiny in recent years, with the Trump administration previously targeting the agency for downsizing and closure, citing cases of waste and financial mismanagement.

“I raised concerns about the sinister activities of certain NGOs in Borno State as far back as 2014. I was invited to Abuja and detained for questioning. It took the intervention of Borno elders to secure my release,” Gubio stated.

As investigations unfold, the Senate’s decision to summon top security officials underscores the gravity of the allegations, with Nigeria poised to take decisive action based on the findings.