US Denies Allegations Of Funding Boko Haram.
The United States government has strongly denied allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting in Abuja, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr, dismissed the claims, stating that there is no evidence to support such accusations. He reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and assured that strict monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure aid reaches the intended recipients.
“There is absolutely no evidence that I have seen that USAID or any US assistance funding has been diverted to Boko Haram. If any credible evidence is presented, we will investigate immediately in collaboration with our Nigerian partners,” Mills stated.
The ambassador further emphasised that the US has been a strong ally of Nigeria in combating Boko Haram, having designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) since 2013. This designation, he explained, is aimed at cutting off the group’s financial resources and strengthening counter-terrorism efforts through cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
He clarified that the recent 90-day pause in US foreign assistance to certain countries, including Nigeria, was not a funding cut but a temporary review to enhance the effectiveness of aid programmes. He reassured that critical humanitarian assistance, such as HIV treatment, maternal and child health support, and aid for internally displaced persons, would continue through approved waivers.
During his presentation to the Nigerian governors, Mills outlined the US-Nigeria partnership priorities for the next four years. These include:
– Increasing investment and transparency
– Strengthening anti-corruption measures
– Empowering local and state authorities
– Ensuring a smooth transition of US-supported health programmes to Nigerian control
He noted that the US aims to support Nigeria’s local governance structures, ensuring that state and local authorities have the capacity to manage developmental initiatives effectively.
“We believe the most effective governance is that which is closest to the people. Our experience in the US, with a federal system, has shown that strengthening local authorities improves service delivery and accountability,” Mills concluded.
The US government reiterated its full support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that US aid serves its intended purpose.