The Nigerian Senate has summoned National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the heads of key intelligence agencies over allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding Boko Haram insurgents.
The closed-door session will include the Director Generals of the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), who are expected to provide clarity on the claims.
This move follows recent allegations by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who accused USAID of sponsoring terrorist activities in Nigeria. While the U.S. Congress is already investigating the matter, the Nigerian Senate has decided to conduct its own probe. Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) led the motion titled “Urgent Need to Investigate the Alleged Funding of Boko Haram by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),” which was co-sponsored by eight other senators.
Ndume stressed that such a serious allegation cannot be ignored, given the devastating impact of Boko Haram’s insurgency in Nigeria. Following a debate on the motion, the Senate agreed to summon Ribadu, DSS Director-General Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, and the heads of NIA and DIA on a yet-to-be-announced date.
The outcome of the security briefing is expected to shed light on the controversial claims and their implications for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
BY JOSHUA FERDINAND @NewsDiary
