By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, and his Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi.
They are expected to brief the federal lawmakers on claims that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had funded the Boko Haram terrorists.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced this yesterday during plenary.
He said they would appear before lawmakers in a closed-door session to verify the allegations.
The resolution to summon the security heads followed a motion sponsored by the Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume.
The decision followed the recent claim by US Congressman Scott Perry that USAID funded terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and their affiliates, including Boko Haram in Nigeria.
Ndume lamented the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram despite the federal government’s financial investments in counter-terrorism operations.
He stressed the urgent need to determine the validity of the allegations regarding USAID funding.
He prayed the Senate would invite the NSA and the DGs of NIA and SSS (also known as the Department of State Services) to discuss the matter.
Senator Kaka Shehu, who represents Borno Central and seconded the motion, noted that previous ad hoc committees of the National Assembly had investigated Boko Haram’s operations without effectively curbing their activities.
Similarly, Abdul Ningi, the Senator representing Bauchi Central, also emphasised the necessity of compelling security heads to clarify the matter.
The motion was supported by many of the senators when it was put to vote by the Senate President.
After ruling on the motion, Akpabio stressed the importance of hearing directly from the security agencies because classified intelligence is not for public discussion.
He said, “They will have information on past arrests, and security data is not what we can discuss in the market. We must invite the security agencies because they will have the data.”
The Senate President, however, did not give a timeline on when the security heads should appear before the lawmakers.
He said, “If the closed-door briefing can substantiate that the USAID funds have indeed been misused to support terror activities, such allegations could strain Nigeria-US diplomatic relations.
“If otherwise, the Senate might seek stronger international partnerships to counter-terrorism.”
