Senate Summons NSA and DSS Boss Over Alleged Boko Haram Funding

The Nigerian Senate has summoned the heads of the National Security Adviser’s office, the National Intelligence Agency, and the Defence Intelligence Agency to address allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been financing Boko Haram.

The Nigerian Senate’s call for an urgent investigation follows a motion by Senator Ali Ndume, who raised concerns over a viral video featuring U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania.

Perry alleged during a congressional hearing that USAID had been involved in financing terrorist activities worldwide, including in Nigeria.

Ndume pointed out that this claim surfaced shortly after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned that terrorist groups in the country were receiving funding and training from international organizations.

Perry further accused USAID of funding global terrorist groups, including the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and their local affiliates like Boko Haram in Nigeria. He claimed that USAID’s $697 million annual budget had been used to finance extremist training camps and madrasas (Islamic schools).

The U.S. lawmaker, a member of former President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, made these remarks during a session of an advisory body established by Trump to review U.S. government spending.

Trump, who has faced criticism for attempting to undermine institutions like USAID, had previously suspended all foreign aid for 90 days in January to reassess whether the funds aligned with American interests.