The Nigerian Senate has summoned top security officials, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, over allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding Boko Haram.
The security chiefs are expected to appear before the lawmakers in a closed-door session to explain the allegations, which were raised by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry during a U.S. Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency hearing. Perry claimed that USAID had unintentionally funneled approximately $697 million annually to terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
The Nigerian Senate’s decision follows growing concerns over international funding of terrorism and the rising insecurity in the country, particularly in the northeastern region. The allegations are also being investigated by the U.S. Congress, but Nigerian lawmakers have opted to conduct their own probe. The motion to investigate the claims was moved by Senator Ali Ndume and co-sponsored by eight other senators. Ndume expressed deep concern about the mystery surrounding Boko Haram’s financial backing, referencing the 2011 UN building bombing and the police headquarters attack in Abuja as examples of the terrorist group’s sustained capability.
“The Nigerian government has spent billions to combat terrorism, yet the issue persists. Understanding the true source of Boko Haram’s funding is crucial to solving this crisis,” Ndume stated. Other senators, including Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and Senator Abdul Ningi, called for a high-level security briefing rather than an open debate on the Senate floor. Ningi emphasized the need for intelligence agencies to privately brief lawmakers, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged caution, warning against basing decisions on unverified social media claims.
“We must rely on verified intelligence from our security agencies rather than speculation,” Akpabio stated. However, Ndume countered, insisting that the U.S. Congress was actively investigating the claims, making it more than just a rumor. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has since confirmed that it is reviewing past aid allocations to ensure funds were used appropriately. Additionally, President Bola Tinubu held a late-night meeting with Akpabio at the Presidential Villa to discuss the issue, signaling the seriousness of the matter.
Akpabio also warned that if the allegations against USAID were proven, the federal government would not allow the agency to continue operating in Nigeria.
