US Denies Allegations of Funding Boko Haram, Reaffirms Commitment to Counterterrorism
By, Springbewsng Media limited February 19,2025
FCT, Abuja – The United States government has firmly denied allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations. In a statement released on Tuesday, February 18, via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the U.S. mission in Nigeria reaffirmed that strict monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to ensure that American assistance reaches only its intended recipients.
The statement emphasized that the U.S. “condemns the violence and blatant disregard for human life perpetrated by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria and the region.” It also pointed out that on November 14, 2013, the U.S. Secretary of State officially designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) to block its assets, curb fundraising efforts, and restrict the travel of its members to the U.S.
Allegations Emerge
These denials follow recent claims by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who alleged that USAID was indirectly funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, to the tune of $697 million annually. Perry’s comments have sparked widespread debate and concern over the role of international aid in conflict zones.
In Nigeria, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Bolaji Akinyemi echoed these concerns, suggesting that foreign superpowers have actively sought to destabilize the country since the colonial era. Speaking on Arise News on Monday, February 17, Akinyemi alleged that British colonial authorities strategically influenced Nigeria’s post-independence leadership to maintain control.
Similarly, Adamu Garba, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former presidential aspirant, claimed that USAID funds were being used to procure weapons for Boko Haram, ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province), and other extremist groups. In a video posted on his X page, Garba questioned how USAID spent $824 million in Nigeria in 2024, implying that some of these funds may have been misused.
U.S. Maintains Its Stance
Despite the swirling allegations, the U.S. has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. It maintains that all aid disbursed is closely monitored to prevent misuse, and it continues to collaborate with Nigerian authorities to ensure transparency in its humanitarian assistance programs.
As tensions rise over these allegations, observers anticipate further reactions from both Nigerian and American officials, with calls for more scrutiny over international aid disbursements in conflict zones.
