Senate Summons Security Chiefs Over Alleged USAID Terrorism Claims

The Nigerian Senate has summoned top security chiefs to address allegations that USAID may have funded terrorism linked to Boko Haram. Investigations are underway.

The Nigerian Senate has called upon intelligence chiefs to investigate allegations made by United States Congressman Perry Scott, who asserted that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been financing terrorist groups such as Boko Haram.

The resolution was prompted by an urgent national security order, raised under Order 41, by Senator Mohammed Ndume of the Borno South Senatorial District.

Ndume called on the Senate to treat the allegations with utmost seriousness, highlighting the severe consequences of terrorism in Nigeria, especially due to Boko Haram.

He stressed that a comprehensive investigation would shed light on how non-state actors have been able to sustain their activities for years.

The Senate has summoned the leaders of several security and intelligence agencies, including the National Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, Department of State Services, and the National Security Adviser.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the resolution, emphasizing that security issues are best addressed in confidential settings. He mentioned that intelligence chiefs would offer a more detailed insight to the Senate during a private briefing.

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who co-sponsored the motion, suggested an amendment requiring security chiefs to initially brief senators in a closed-door session.

Ningi remarked, “Currently, everything mentioned here is pertinent. Nevertheless, addressing the issues highlighted in this motion thoroughly within an open debate setting is nearly impossible.”

“We don’t require an extensive discussion on this matter; instead, we need to be briefed by security agencies in a closed-door session first.”

Let’s concentrate on a crucial step: inviting the NSA, the Director-General of NIA, and DSS for a confidential session with the Senate regarding this issue. This aligns with their responsibilities and is what they are funded to accomplish.

Following the security chiefs’ briefing, we can proceed based on the facts they present.