The House of Representatives has established an ad hoc committee to investigate claims by United States Congressman Scott Perry that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram and other terrorist organisations in Nigeria.
The House also urged the federal government to seek formal clarification from the U.S. government through the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The 15-member committee, chaired by Rep. Victor Obuzor (PDP-Rivers), has also been tasked with investigating non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Nigeria, including their identities, sources of funding, and expenditures.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled “The Need to Investigate the Allegation by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that USAID Has Allegedly Funded Boko Haram and Other International Terrorist Organisations,” moved by a member representing the Yamaltu/Deba Federal constituency, Inuwa Garba, during a plenary session in Abuja.
Garba raised concerns over Perry’s statement made during a U.S. Subcommittee on Delivering Government Efficiency hearing, in which he alleged that $697 million annually, along with cash shipments, were funnelled to ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other extremist groups.
Garba argued that the group may have significantly benefitted from these alleged funds given Boko Haram’s stronghold in Northern Nigeria.
He emphasised that if the claims were true, they posed serious national and international security concerns, as well as questions about foreign influences on Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
He also warned that ignoring the allegations could embolden criminal groups and worsen security challenges in the country.
Despite U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills dismissing the allegations as false, Garba insisted that the ambassador had no authority to make such a declaration.
The House urged the media and the public to remain vigilant and provide any information that could assist security agencies in combating terrorism.
The ad hoc committee was given two weeks to report back with its findings for further legislative action.