Nigerians Demand Probe into Alleged USAID Funding of Boko Haram

Prominent Nigerians, including diplomats, military officials, and government representatives, have called for a thorough investigation following allegations by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.

Perry, a Republican lawmaker from Pennsylvania, made the claim during a congressional hearing on government waste, stating that USAID channels approximately $697 million annually to groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. His remarks, captured in a viral video, have sparked widespread reactions in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, recently expressed concerns over the funding sources of terrorist groups operating in the country, emphasizing that foreign currencies have been found on captured insurgents.

Reacting to Perry’s claims, former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil and Argentina, Dele Cole, called for a detailed investigation, questioning whether such funds were given directly to Nigerian entities. Former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, urged the government to engage with international partners to verify the allegations and take necessary action if proven true.

Retired Brigadier General George Emdin described Perry’s claims as longstanding suspicions within security circles, while Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, suggested that Nigeria and other affected nations should seek compensation from the U.S. for the devastation caused by terrorism.

However, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, advised caution, emphasizing that Nigeria should await concrete evidence before making formal diplomatic moves.

With the allegations fueling concerns over foreign aid oversight and national security, there is growing pressure on the Nigerian government to investigate the claims and ensure that international funds do not contribute to sustaining terrorism in the country.