By Kingston Magare
The Nigerian Senate will launch an investigation into the allegations that United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Boko Haram activities in Nigeria.
To this end it has summoned heads of the Nigerian Intelligence community for a hear on a date yet to be decided. Those to appear are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the Directors-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Senate president Godswill Akpabio said during Wednesday’s plenary the agencies need to appear to throw more light on the allegations in a closed-door hearing.
A United States Congressman, Scott Perry, had a few days ago, alleged that USAID had been sponsoring activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria.
The Senate’s attention to the weighty allegation was drawn by a motion moved by Senator Ali Ndume and co-sponsored by five other senators.
Meanwhile the US government has also announced plans to investigate how past foreign aid allocated to Nigeria and other countries has been utilized.
The move follows increasing scrutiny over the US Agency for International Development (USAID) health funds, particularly after US Congressman Scott Perry claimed that USAID had funded terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.
The US Mission to Nigeria responded to Perry’s allegations on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that monitoring systems are in place to track past US assistance and ensure funds reach intended recipients.
The US reaffirmed its commitment to counterterrorism efforts, noting that Boko Haram was officially designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 14, 2013, to restrict its assets, fundraising, and travel activities.
The US government has pledged to work closely with Nigeria and regional partners to strengthen counterterrorism measures and ensure that aid is effectively utilized.
