The United States government is set to investigate how past aid allocated to Nigeria and other countries has been utilized by the persons responsible.. This is coming on the heel of confession by the united State congressman, Scott Perry, of alleges sponsoring of Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and its affiliate terrorists that the United State Agency For International Development, USAID, was funding across sub-Saharan Africa and middle east.
The US President Donald Trump’s had on January 20, 2025 suspend all foreign aid for 90 days, citing concerns about global destabilization and misalignment with American interests.
Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania was responding to growing calls for a comprehensive review of US Agency for International Development (USAID) health funds by the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE being headed by Elon musk.
Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is a terrorist organisation based in the north-east region Nigeria and also active in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali that has been unleashing pogrom against civilian populace for more than a decade.
The terrorist group is responsible for the killing of over 100,000 and displacing over three million persons in the region.
Via its official X page yesterday, the US Mission to Nigeria confirmed that monitoring systems are in place to track past assistance provided by the US government
The U.S. Mission also strongly condemned the ongoing violence and loss of life caused by Boko Haram in Nigeria.
The statement said, “Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to help verify that U.S. assistance reaches intended recipients. The United States condemns the violence and blatant disregard for human life perpetrated by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria and the region.
“The Secretary of State designated Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 14, 2013 to block the organization’s assets and fundraising efforts, prosecute individual members, and restrict their travel to the United States.
“The United States continues to work with Nigeria and regional partners to counter terrorism,” the post read.
Ndume calls for probe
Senator representing Borno south, Ali Ndume has expressed concerns about the confession that the USAID financed terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, through annual funds amounting to $697 million.
Ndume, in an interview on Sunday, has call on the federal government to investigate what he described as a weighty allegation by the US Congressman.
The Borno senator also urged the Tinubu government to focus on becoming self-sufficient, rather than relying on foreign aid to avoid further killing of Nigerians.
The lawmaker, representing Borno-South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, asked the federal government to ensure that the matter is not swept under the carpet.
CDS Reaction
Recall that in an interview with Aljazeera recently, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, called on the United Nations to investigate the funding and training of the Boko Haram terrorists.
Musa said there was international flow of funding for the terrorists, stressing the need for the UN to come in to trace and track it.
The defence chief, who questioned how the insurgents had sustained themselves for 15 years, also fingered international conspiracy in providing the terrorists with funds, training and equipment.
The CDS’ call on the international community for investigation came at the wake of a new trick by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists who are now deploying drones for surveillance ahead of launching attacks on security operatives.
Borno Elder Kick, want NGAs Out of Borno state
Meanwhile, the Borno Elder Forum has called on (USAID) and other non-governmental organizations residing in Borno to leave Borno State and the North-east region with immediate effect.
Daily Trust yesterday, spoke with the Secretary of the forum, Dr Bulama Male Gubio, who appealed to the Nigerian government to allow US President Donald Trump to investigate the claim made by the Congressman.
Gubio said “I raised concern about the sinister activities of NGOs in Borno State in 2014. I was invited to Abuja and detained for questioning. It took the intervention of Borno elders to bail me out”.Dailytrust