Following a claim by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that USAID funding supported global terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria responded by stating that it carefully monitors all assistance to Nigeria to ensure it reaches the intended recipients.
However, the embassy did not confirm whether it would investigate all USAID funding, including that mentioned by the lawmaker, or if a new investigation would take place.
The embassy did condemn Boko Haram’s violence and disregard for human life.
This statement came after Perry accused USAID of inadvertently funding terrorist groups through its $697 million annual budget, including cash shipments to madrasas. Perry suggested that such funds have been directed to terrorist training camps and extremist organizations. He made this claim during a meeting of a Trump-established advisory body on cutting U.S. government spending.
In response, the U.S. Embassy reiterated that the U.S. condemns Boko Haram’s actions and emphasized that systems are in place to monitor and verify that aid reaches its intended recipients. The embassy also reminded the public that Boko Haram has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department since 2013, which has helped block their assets and fundraising efforts.
The Nigerian government continues to face the challenge of combating terrorism, with Boko Haram and its faction, ISWAP, financing their operations through local means such as extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and raids on villages. Despite ongoing efforts, the insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has persisted for nearly two decades.
