5 months after: Probe of alleged Boko Haram funding drags in National Assembly

The allegations against the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) and other local and international NGOs of funding activities of Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other violent groups have failed to disappear even as coming up with verifiable and undisputable evidence of such activities have remained a herculean task.

This is just as both chambers of Nigeria’s legislature are yet to conclude the investigations they launched into the allegations five months ago.

For over a decade, accusing fingers have been pointed at many international humanitarian organisations and their local affiliates.

The latest was from the U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who on February 13, 2025, at the U.S. House subcommittee hearing titled ‘War on Waste’, alleged that USAID channel taxpayers’ money amounting to approximately $697 million annually, sometimes in cash, to madrasas, and ultimately to radical groups.

He specifically named ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and ISIS Khorasan. Perry claimed the funds were diverted to training camps and terrorist operatives.

Like Perry, some political and military leaders as well as analysts, especially in Nigeria, have also accused NGOs (without necessarily mentioning USAID) of alleged funding of Boko Haram and other non-state actors, citing the longevity, failure or sabotage of intelligence, resilience of the fighters, and the inability of Nigerian security forces to tame them.

Soon after Perry’s allegation which was trailed by clamour for accountability from different quarters, the Senate and House of Representatives in Nigeria adopted motions to investigate the matter.

However, five months after, nothing has been heard on the allegation, heightening suspicion that there could be pressure from somewhere to allow the matter fizzle out.

During its active days, the USAID had funded many NGOs whose activities revolved around health, agriculture, water/sanitation, education and civic engagement.

Reports suggest that there are over 200 NGOs operating in the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe) even as questions are being raised over their motives and modes of operations.

At the height of the debate on Boko Haram funding, it was Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) who raised the motion on the need to investigate USAID and other NGOs.

But when asked in an interview with the Daily Trust penultimate Friday about how far his motion had gone in unravelling the USAID’s alleged funding mystery, he said: “Well, so far I have not heard anything about the motion. And I am handicapped, handicapped in the sense that what I did was what I am supposed to do, that is to raise the motion; and my prayer was for the Senate to investigate the matter.

“That motion was adopted, but up till now, I have not heard anything about that very important motion because I remember that the Senate resolved to invite the security chiefs.

“It is the work of the Senate leadership. You are right to ask me, but the best people to answer this is the leadership of the Senate,” he said.

Asked whether the crisis will end going by the way people are being killed, communities being attacked and the failure of relevant authorities to unravel those behind the over a decade long insurgency, Ndume said: “Well, there will be light at the end of the tunnel depending on the commitment of the Nigerian government. Yes, this government has been investing, but it is not enough.

“I am still of the opinion that security and welfare of Nigerian citizens should be the top priority or the main priority of the government. And I also strongly believe that once our armed forces or security agencies are adequately funded and given the marching order, they can be achieved. Especially under the current leadership of the CDS (Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa) who leads the Air Force, the Army and the Navy.

“What they (the military) don’t have is what I call TEAM: Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Motivation,” he said.

But when reminded that it appeared those at the Nigerian military high command did not have the right intelligence considering the way they are talking, Ndume, who had at a time chaired the Senate Committee on Army, said: “They have the right intelligence.”

When told that the CDS was also not categorical about foreign funding during his interview with Aljazeera, Ndume said: “No, that is because he is not to commit himself about that. But definitely, if the Nigerian armed forces are given what they need, I can assure you that they will deliver.”

On why it is difficult for some of them (politicians and military commanders) alleging foreign funding of Boko Haram to come up with verifiable evidence, Ndume said: “No, it is not going down to that level. Give the armed forces what they need and they will get this thing done. In fact, now, especially in the North East, it boils down to three black spots – Mandara Mountains, Sambisa and the Lake Chad fringes.

“That is where they (Boko Haram) operate. If the Nigerian Armed Forces are given what they need, plus, for example, the support of Special Forces like the PMC (Private Military Contractors), they will succeed. They did it before.

“Boko Haram was chased out in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces during President Jonathan’s time. What stops us from doing that now? The American government, which is the strongest armed forces in the world, still uses private military contractors. France and Russia were using Wagner. I am an advocate of that, seriously, because this problem is hampering everything and it is spreading.

“It is like cancer. Once you don’t get it done, whether by amputation or chemotherapy…it keeps spreading. The only safe place in Nigeria now, relatively, is the South West,” he said.

Daily Trust reports that the Senate is yet to release the report of its findings on the alleged funding of Boko Haram in the country, five months after it resolved to investigate the issue.

The red chamber had on February 19, 2025, said that it would summon all the security chiefs over the allegation made by Congressman Perry during the inaugural session of the advisory body established by US President Donald Trump.

This followed the consideration and adoption of Ndume’s motion during plenary.

During the debate, Ndume had said that a thorough investigation would end speculation about how non-state actors have managed to survive over the years.

A co-sponsor of the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), however, suggested that the security chiefs should first brief senators in a closed-door session.

The heads of security and intelligence agencies expected to appear before the Senate are those of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser, among others.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after ruling on the motion, had said, “If the closed-door briefing can substantiate that the USAID funds have indeed been misused to support terror activities, such allegations could strain Nigeria-US diplomatic relations.

“And if otherwise, the Senate might seek stronger international partnerships to counter-terrorism.”

But five months after, and like what Ndume told the Daily Trust, nothing has been heard of the probe.

Efforts to get the Senate leadership to clear the air were fruitless as the chairman of its Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), neither answered phone calls nor responded to WhatsApp and text messages sent to them by our correspondent for details of their findings.