Richard Mills, the US ambassador to Nigeria, has dismissed allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been financing Boko Haram or other terrorist groups in Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday after a meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in Abuja, Mills emphasized the US government’s commitment to combating terrorism in Nigeria.
“The United States categorically rejects any claims that it funds Boko Haram or any terrorist organisation in Nigeria,” Mills said. “We stand with the Nigerian government and its people in their fight against terrorism and are committed to supporting efforts to eliminate the threat posed by Boko Haram and other extremist groups.”
The allegations were initially made by Scott Perry, a US Republican congressman, who claimed that USAID has been funding terror groups, including Boko Haram.
Boko Haram, which began its insurgency against the Nigerian state in 2009, has caused the death of thousands and displaced millions, particularly in the north-east region. USAID has played a significant role in humanitarian aid, stabilization efforts, and support for displaced persons in the region.
Perry’s claims have sparked mixed reactions in Nigeria, with many dismissing them as conspiracy theories. On February 19, the Nigerian senate invited security and intelligence chiefs to address the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Borno Elders Forum has called for USAID and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to leave the state. Bulama Gubio, the forum’s secretary, expressed his concerns over the activities of some NGOs.
“I raised concerns about the sinister activities of NGOs in Borno state as far back as 2014,” Gubio said. “I was invited to Abuja and detained for questioning. It took the intervention of Borno elders to bail me out.”
Gubio also urged the Nigerian government to allow US authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the claims.