Ambassador Denies USAID Funding Of Boko Haram
……Senate Begins Probe
The United States government has denied allegations of funding the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to assisting the country in its fight against terrorism.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard M. Mills Jr., has denied that his country has been funding Boko Haram insurgency through its aid agency, USAID.
The Ambassador who met behind closed doors with the governors of the 36 states in Abuja, told journalists that the claim by a U.S lawmaker was false.
According to him, his country has been a strategic partner in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
“The United States categorically rejects any claims that it funds Boko Haram or any terrorist organisation in Nigeria,” Mills said.
“We stand with the Nigerian government and its people in their fight against terrorism and are committed to supporting efforts to eliminate the threat posed by Boko Haram and other extremist groups.”
U.S. Congressman Scott Perry had alleged that USAID funds have been used to support terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
Borno Elders Demand USAID, NGOs Exit Over Allegation
In its reaction to the allegation, the Borno Elders Forum has called on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to leave Borno State and the Northeast region.
The Forum’s Secretary, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, urged Nigeria and U.S. authorities to investigate the claims thoroughly.
“I raised concerns about the sinister activities of 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 bail me out,” Gubio told reporters.
The U.S. government has announced a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid as part of a broader review of its assistance programmes worldwide.
While NGOs have played crucial role in providing humanitarian aid to communities affected by insurgency, some local leaders have accused them of operating with hidden agenda.
Nigerian Senate Summons Security Chiefs
The Nigerian Senate has also taken steps to investigate the allegations. During Wednesday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said “before we take decisive steps and ask for recompense, we must conduct a thorough investigation.”
The Senate has summoned heads of security and intelligence agencies to provide briefings on the matter. Those summoned include the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The Senate issued the summons following a motion by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South).
Ndume said Nigeria must investigate the issue with utmost seriousness due to the devastating impact of Boko Haram insurgency on the country.
Ndume said a comprehensive probe would unravel how non-state actors have sustained their operations over the years.
While endorsing the resolution, Akpabio emphasized the sensitive nature of security matters, stating that deliberations on the issue will be held behind closed doors.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement on the allegations.
