Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, has urged the Nigerian government to investigate claims made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry.
Perry suggested that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) may have indirectly funded terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ndume stated that the allegation should not be dismissed lightly, calling for the Nigerian government and the National Assembly to thoroughly examine and confirm the truth of the accusation.
The lawmaker expressed concern about the possibility that foreign humanitarian organizations operating in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden North-East could be unknowingly supporting terrorism.
He recalled the devastating impact Boko Haram has had on the region and other parts of Nigeria, referencing major attacks such as the bombings of the police headquarters and the UN office in Abuja.
Ndume also recalled past instances where Nigerian security agencies and the Borno State government had raised alarms about NGOs in the region.
He highlighted that Nigerian authorities had previously conducted raids on USAID offices and other organizations based on intelligence suggesting potential links to terrorist activities.
Furthermore, Ndume criticized Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign aid in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the North-East, where millions have been displaced and tens of thousands have been killed.
He argued that Nigeria should be in a position to provide humanitarian assistance to other nations, rather than relying on aid from abroad.
Ndume emphasized that with better leadership, Nigeria could leverage its own resources to address its challenges and become self-sufficient.
