There’s No Evidence USAID Funded Boko Haram In Nigeria – US Ambassador

Richard Mills, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, has denied charges that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) sponsors Boko Haram or any other terrorist organization.

Mills indicated on Wednesday night in Abuja, during a meeting with Nigeria Governors Forum members, that there is no evidence to back up the assertions.

“There is absolutely no evidence of such diversion, and if we ever had evidence that any programme funding was being misused by Boko Haram, we would immediately investigate it with our Nigerian partners,” he said.

Mills emphasized that the US government has stringent policies in place to prevent USAID and other US support from being diverted to terrorist groups.

“We cooperate in investigations with the Nigerian government. I can assure you that we have strict policies and procedures to ensure that USAID funding or any other US assistance, whether from USAID, the Department of Defence, or the State Department, is not diverted to terrorist groups like Boko Haram.

“So, when it comes to Boko Haram, the United States stands with Nigeria in wanting to rid this country of the scourge that this organisation represents.

“Let me be clear—there is no friend of Nigeria stronger in condemning Boko Haram’s violence and disregard for human life than the United States. We have designated Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation since 2013, blocking the group from transferring assets to the US and allowing us to arrest and seize its members.”

On February 13, United States Congressman Scott Perry accused USAID of sponsoring terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram. Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, made the assertion at the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, titled The War on Waste: Combating the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud.

He said that USAID’s financial efforts have directly aided terrorist groups globally, including Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS.

“Who gets some of that money? Your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, and terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,” Perry stated.

Concerned by the claims, the Nigerian Senate summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed; and the State Security Services (SSS) Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during plenary on Wednesday, February 19, stating that security personnel would appear in a closed-door session to check the charges.

The resolution to call the security leaders followed a motion presented by Borno South Senator Ali Ndume, who voiced concern over Boko Haram’s ongoing danger despite the federal government’s financial efforts in counterterrorism. Ndume emphasized the urgent need to investigate the veracity of the charges, saying, “There must be clarity on this matter.”

Borno Central Senator Kaka Shehu, who seconded the resolution, stated that past ad hoc committees of the National Assembly had studied Boko Haram’s operations but failed to effectively curtail their activities.

Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi underlined the importance of pushing security officials to clarify the situation. When the Senate President put the move to a vote, senators overwhelmingly endorsed it.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli