The House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nigeria, following allegations made by US Congressman Scot Perry that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding global terrorism, including Boko Haram.
The investigation, spurred by a motion from Gombe lawmaker Inuwa Garba, aims to uncover the identities, sources of funding, and expenditures of NGOs operating in the country, particularly those in the North-East, which is the epicenter of terrorism in Nigeria.
Garba expressed concern that if the allegations were true, they could undermine Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and compromise national security efforts.
He emphasised the need to thoroughly investigate the claims to prevent further escalation of insecurity.
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On the same issue, the Senate had summoned security chiefs earlier in the week to begin its own inquiry.
The House of Reps has also called on the federal government to seek clarification from the US government on the matter and has summoned top Nigerian security officials, including the National Security Adviser and the Director General of the Department of State Services, to shed light on the claims.
However, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, denied the allegations, stating that there is no evidence that USAID has been involved in funding Boko Haram or any other terrorist group.
He reaffirmed the United States’ strong condemnation of Boko Haram’s actions and emphasised that the US has strict policies in place to prevent the diversion of aid to terrorist organizations.
Ambassador Mills further clarified that a 90-day pause on US foreign aid is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of US assistance to Nigeria, with no cuts made to critical support programs, including life-saving aid for HIV patients and displaced people.
