Senator Ndume Seeks Investigation Into Alleged USAID Funding of Boko Haram

Nigerian Senator Ali Ndume has called on the Federal Government to investigate claims that the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, funded terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.

According to Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, the allegations were made by US Congressman Scott Perry. Ndume emphasized that the claims are more than just an allegation and warrant a thorough investigation

“The Nigerian security agencies have raised this indirectly several times, and even the Borneo state government was wary of the operations of the NGOs. And I remember during the period of Burate, Nigerian army got intelligence and even raided at one time the office of United USA or United Nations in Maiduguri, you remember that. And there was a time also, the governor, you know, got intelligence and raided into one NGO that were training or providing training to some of their staff on how to use guns. And we have been wondering for all these years, where are these people getting this money that they do? Besides the raids and the kidnapping that they do, it’s worrisome. And now that the United States congressman came out, Scott Perry, to speak about this, he can’t say it’s just an allegation. It’s more than that. And that’s why Nigerian government and the National Assembly especially needs to look into it.”

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He also revealed plans to introduce a Motion to establish a committee, comprising security agencies, to participate in the investigation.

“I’m planning to bring a motion on Tuesday, if allowed, a matter of urgent national importance to set up a strong committee so that our security agencies like the Office of the NSA, the DIA, the DSS will be involved because that’s part of their responsibility. It’s not only internal security. And since the government now is the one investigating the USAID, I’m sure they will cooperate or they will even be, I think, extend their investigation to find out from here where the action is as to the veracity of such a weighty allegation.”