The Senate yesterday summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Chief of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiadeye, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
They are to brief the Red Chamber behind closed doors on the veracity or otherwise of allegation that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a key sponsor of terrorism, including Boko Haram, in the country.
The Senate resolution followed its consideration and approval of a motion, titled: “Urgent need to investigate the alleged funding of Boko Haram by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),” sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) during plenary.
But no date has been set for the heads of the nation’s intelligence agencies to appear before the Senate.
In his lead debate, Ndume urged the Senate to note that on Thursday, February 13, 2025, the social media space was agog with a trending video of United States Republican Congressman Scott Perry, representing Pennsylvania, alleging at the inaugural hearing of the Sub-Committee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) that USAID has been funding terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram, across the world.
Ndume said the Senate also noted that the allegation came on the heels of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, raising the alarm that Boko Haram and other terrorist groups were being sponsored and trained by international organisations.
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Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC, Borno Central), who seconded the motion, noted that previous ad hoc committees of the National Assembly had investigated Boko Haram’s operations without effectively curbing their activities.
Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Centra) also emphasised the necessity of compelling security heads to provide clarity on the matter.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the importance of hearing directly from the security agencies on the basis that classified intelligence is not for public discussion.