Amid the swirling controversy surrounding US Congressman Perry Scott’s allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funneling funds to terrorist organizations, including the notorious Boko Haram, the Senate has summoned intelligence chiefs.
The upper chamber wants them to conduct a thorough investigation into the serious claims.
The resolution followed an Order of Urgent National Security under Order 41 raised by Sen. Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District.
Ndume urged the Senate to treat the revelation with the gravity it deserves, considering the catastrophic damage inflicted by terrorists, especially Boko Haram, in Nigeria.
He said a comprehensive investigation would put to rest speculation surrounding the enduring existence of non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, and uncover the sources of their sustenance over the years.
Endorsing the resolution, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said security matters are typically more effectively addressed in closed sessions.
Akpabio said intelligence chiefs would provide the Senate with a more nuanced understanding of the situation during a private briefing.
Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), a co-sponsor of the motion, proposed an amendment, stating that security chiefs should first brief senators in a closed-door session.
Ningi said: “At this point, whatever is written here is relevant. However, it is almost impossible to do justice to the issues raised in this motion in an open debate.
“We do not need an elaborate discussion on this matter; we need to be briefed by security agencies first in a closed-door session.
“Let’s focus on one key action — inviting the NSA, the DG of NIA, and the DSS for a confidential session with the Senate on this matter. This is their duty; this is what they are funded to do.
“With the security chiefs’ briefing, we can proceed based on the facts they provide.”
The Senate, therefore, summoned the heads of several key security and intelligence agencies, including the National Intelligence Agency(NIA), the Defence Intelligence Agency(DIA), the Department of State Services(DSS), and the National Security Adviser(NSA).
Persecondnews recalls that Perry alleged during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency that the USAID has been channeling $697 million annually, plus shipments of cash, to support terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram and ISIS.
He also questioned the effectiveness of USAID-funded projects, such as allocating $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan, yet providing “zero evidence” of their existence.
Additionally, Perry criticized USAID’s women’s empowerment programs in Afghanistan, citing Taliban restrictions on women’s rights.
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