The Senator representing the Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has called for an immediate investigation into the claims made by U.S. Congressman, Scott Perry, suggesting that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been involved in financing terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.
Ndume, who previously served as the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, expressed this request during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics on Sunday, urging both the federal government and the National Assembly to initiate prompt inquiries into the allegations put forth by Perry.
Scott Perry indictment of USAID a source of funding for terrorist groups including Boko Haram has sparked significant controversy since last week
The US Congressman during the inaugural session of the U.S.
House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiencies claimed that USAID had been funneling as much as $697 million annually to terrorist groups worldwide, including Boko Haram, which has been terrorizing Nigeria for more than twenty years.
In response to these allegations during the programme, Ndume emphasized that they were not only serious but concerning, advocating for a comprehensive investigation.
“For years, we have questioned where these terrorists are obtaining their funds, apart from raids and kidnappings.
This is troubling. With a U.S. Congressman making such statements publicly, we cannot simply dismiss it as a mere allegation. It carries more weight than that. Therefore, the Nigerian government and the National Assembly must investigate and confirm the validity of these claims,” Ndume stated.
“Boko Haram has devastated not just the North-East but Nigeria as a whole. We can recall how Boko Haram attacked the police headquarters and the UN office in Abuja,” the senator noted.
“The casualties were immense. Security agencies have hinted at this issue indirectly multiple times. Even the Borno State government has expressed concerns regarding the activities of certain NGOs.
“The catastrophic effects of the Boko Haram insurgency have resulted in over 50,000 deaths and displaced 2.5 million individuals over the years, with 400,000 people fleeing from Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states to take refuge in Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
“When you examine these statistics, it’s quite alarming. Analyzing Boko Haram’s methods of operation raises questions about whether they are receiving support from external sources.
“This is a critical national issue that requires urgent attention. We need to establish a robust committee that includes security agencies such as the Office of the NSA, the DIA, and the DSS because it pertains to their responsibilities. This issue extends beyond just internal security.
“This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We must work towards making Nigeria functional. At this point, Nigeria should be in a position to provide aid instead of being on the receiving end,” he concluded.
