U.S. Denies Funding Boko Haram as Nigerian Senate Launches Probe into USAID Allegations
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.
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., made the clarification in Abuja on Thursday during an interview with journalists following a closed-door session with Nigeria’s 36 state governors.
Mills described the allegations as false and misleading, emphasizing that the U.S. remains a strategic partner in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
“The United States categorically rejects any claims that it funds Boko Haram or any terrorist organization 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.”
The remarks come amid growing concerns following allegations by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who claimed that USAID funds may have been used to support terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
Borno Elders Demand USAID, NGOs Exit Over Allegations
In reaction to the allegations, the Borno Elders Forum has called on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to leave Borno State and the wider Northeast region.
Forum Secretary, Dr. Bulama Male Gubio, urged the Nigerian government to allow 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 since announced a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid as part of a broader review of its assistance programs worldwide.
While NGOs have played a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid to communities affected by insurgency, some local leaders have accused them of operating with hidden agendas.
Nigerian Senate Summons Security Chiefs Over Allegations
The Nigerian Senate has also taken steps to investigate the allegations. During Wednesday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that if USAID is found guilty of sponsoring terrorism, Nigeria will ban the agency from operating in the country.
“If it is true that USAID has been funding Boko Haram in Nigeria, we have no business allowing them to have offices in Nigeria,” 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: Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Director, Department of State Services (DSS) and National Security Adviser (NSA).
The resolution followed an urgent security motion raised by Senator Mohammed Ndume (Borno South), who stressed that the issue must be treated with utmost seriousness due to the devastating impact of Boko Haram’s insurgency.
Ndume noted that a comprehensive probe would help dispel speculations about 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 or the Senate’s investigation.
