Ndume Urges Nigerian Government To Probe Allegations Of USAID Funding Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has called on the Nigerian government to launch a thorough investigation into allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda.
Ndume’s statement follows claims made by Republican Congressman Scott Perry during a U.S. congressional hearing last Thursday. Perry, speaking at the inaugural session of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, alleged that $697 million in aid had been funneled to these terrorist organizations through USAID. He further claimed that $136 million allocated for school construction in Pakistan had no verifiable records of use.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics”, Ndume stressed the seriousness of the allegations and urged both the Nigerian government and the National Assembly to investigate the matter.
“You can’t dismiss this as just an allegation—it’s more than that. The Nigerian government must take this claim seriously, verify its accuracy, and ensure that our security agencies investigate it thoroughly,” he stated.
The senator highlighted the devastation caused by Boko Haram, recalling their attacks on Nigeria’s police headquarters and the United Nations office in Abuja.
“Boko Haram has not only ravaged the North-East but also other parts of Nigeria. We have long questioned how these terrorists secure funding. If there is any truth to these claims, it is a matter of national security that must be addressed immediately,” Ndume added.
Ndume also pointed out that Nigerian security agencies and the Borno State government have previously raised concerns about the operations of certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the region.
“Even in Borno, there has been skepticism about the role of some NGOs. We must now take a closer look at the sources and distribution of international aid,” he said.
While USAID has not publicly responded to the allegations, the Nigerian government is expected to take a position on the issue as scrutiny over foreign funding for counterterrorism efforts intensifies.
