The Nigerian Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser, the Director General of the State Security Services, (DSS), the Director, National Intelligence Agency, (NIA) and the Director Defence Intelligence Agency, (DIA) to appear before it over the allegations of funding of terrorist group by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The invitation is for an urgent investigation into allegations that some international organizations, including that USAID may be funding terrorist groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria.
This followed a motion of urgent importance’ raised by Senator Ali Ndume on the need to probe the matter.
During plenary on Wednesday, the lawmakers expressed concerns over a viral video of U.S. Congressman Mr. Scott Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, who alleged at a congressional hearing that USAID has been involved in financing terrorist activities across the world, including Boko Haram.
Senator Ndume said this claim comes shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also raised alarm that terrorist groups in the country were receiving sponsorship and training from international organizations.
This is coming few days after the US Congressman accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of funding global terrorist groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, including their local affiliates such as Boko Haram in Nigeria.
Mr. Perry, had said that the US aid agency funded terrorist organisations including Boko Haram.
Mr. Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, made the claim during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last week.
The session titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” focused on alleged misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
According to the subcommittee’s website, it will “actively work with President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency to root out waste, shore up vulnerable payment systems, and fully investigate schemes to defraud taxpayers.”
Mr. Perry further cited USAID’s reported funding of $136 million for the building of 120 schools in Pakistan, alleging that there was “zero evidence” of the schools’ construction.
US President Donald Trump has previously called for the closure of USAID, accusing the agency of corruption in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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