News
US Congressman- Scott Perry’s Weighty Allegations On USAID And The Need For Investigation
ByEmmanuel Ajibulu
US Congressman Scott Perry on February 13, 2025 made some serious allegations, claiming that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram in Nigeria, to the tune of $697 million annually.
These allegations were made during a public hearing of the US House SubCommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.
Meanwhile, in the wake of these scary allegations, Nigerian Senator Ali Ndume is now calling for an investigation into these claims, stating that they should not be dismissed as mere allegations. Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, has witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by Boko Haram and is concerned about the sophistication of their weapons.
Not only Senator Ndume has shown interest in knowing those behind Boko Haram sponsorship in Nigeria though, the call for transparency and accountability regarding this menace is intensifying by the day and many well meaning Nigerians are demanding to know the truth about the sources of funding for the dreaded terrorist group.
However, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, somewhat brought some message of respite, when he declared there is no evidence that the USAID is funding Boko Haram or any terrorist group. Mills made the remarks after meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja late Wednesday night (February 19, 2025) that no nation condemns Boko Haram’s violence and destruction more strongly than the United States.
He assured all that if any evidence is found, the US government will work with the Nigerian government to investigate it.
It is a sad and tragic reality that Boko Haram has been responsible for over 30,000 deaths of Nigerians since 2009, and 2.5 million citizens have equally been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict, with attendant widespread human rights abuses, including kidnappings, forced marriages, and forced conscription of children, famous among the very many abductions was that of the Chibok girls which gained global attention and sympathy.
It is good to know that President Bola Tinubu is taking steps to investigate the allegations that USAID has been sponsoring Boko Haram. The Senate has also summoned the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other top security officials to provide explanations behind closed doors.
The Senate’s move is aimed at assessing the credibility of the allegations and discussing Nigeria’s broader security challenges. President Tinubu’s involvement in this probe is believed to be a demonstration of his commitment to addressing the ongoing insurgency and ensuring transparency in international aid.
It will as well be helpful if the investigations will make the Nigerian government and international partners prioritize transparency and accountability by conducting thorough probe into the allegations of USAID’s involvement in terrorism funding, and perform regular audits of USAID’s activities and funding in Nigeria so as to ensure that resources are being used effectively and efficiently as well as providing clear and timely disclosure of information about USAID’s programs and different layers of funding in Nigeria.
Nigeria after almost two decades of living with the pain and agony of Boko Haram is undoubtedly in dare need of international cooperation to fight terrorism to a stand still at a time like this, and more importantly, the Nigerian government, USAID, and other international partners must work together in synergy by sharing intelligence and information to combat terrorism and prevent the funding. They must also coordinate efforts to address the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, inequality, and social injustice. They equally need to promote transparency and accountability in the use of funds and resources to prevent the diversion of resources to terrorist groups and their collaborators.
Terrorism has caused immense harm and suffering in Nigeria, and it’s essential that it comes to a total end.
●Emmanuel Ajibulu is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com) a general purpose online news platform. He can be contacted via, veracitydesk@gmail.com
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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