American Lawmaker Claims USAID Funds Boko Haram Terrorists in Nigeria
In a startling revelation during the inaugural hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, Congressman Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of funding terrorist organizations, including the notorious Nigerian-based group Boko Haram.
The hearing, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” focused on allegations of mismanagement and misuse of taxpayer funds. Perry, a vocal critic of government inefficiency, claimed that USAID’s annual budget of $697 million, along with cash shipments to madrasas (Islamic religious schools), has inadvertently financed terrorist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and ISIS Khorasan.
“Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money—your money—funds terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,” Perry stated during the session.
The subcommittee, established to address government waste and fraud, has pledged to collaborate with President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency to investigate improper payments and strengthen vulnerable financial systems. Trump, a long-time critic of USAID, has previously called for the agency’s closure, accusing it of corruption in a post on his Truth Social platform. His administration, supported by billionaire ally Elon Musk, has prioritized shrinking the size of the federal government.
Musk, whom Trump appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, has also criticized USAID, alleging that the agency engages in rogue operations. These claims have fueled ongoing debates about the effectiveness and accountability of U.S. foreign aid programs.
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Boko Haram, a terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria, has expanded its operations into Chad, Niger, and northern Cameroon since its founding in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf. Initially focused on opposing Western-style education and advocating for an Islamic state, the group escalated its violent campaign under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau following Yusuf’s death in 2009.
Known for its brutal tactics—including bombings, shootings, kidnappings, and village raids—Boko Haram has caused widespread devastation, displacement, and loss of life. The group’s actions have destabilized the region, creating a humanitarian crisis that has forced millions to flee their homes.
Among its most infamous attacks are the 2014 abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, the 2015 Baga massacre that claimed hundreds of civilian lives, and the 2019 kidnapping of more than 100 schoolgirls in Dapchi. These incidents have drawn global condemnation and underscored the group’s relentless campaign of terror.
Implications of the Allegations
If proven true, Perry’s claims could have significant repercussions for U.S. foreign policy and its counterterrorism efforts in Africa. The allegations also raise questions about the oversight of USAID’s operations and the potential misuse of taxpayer funds.
Efforts to combat Boko Haram and address the resulting humanitarian crisis remain critical challenges for Nigeria and its neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the subcommittee’s investigation into government waste and fraud is expected to continue, with a focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in federal spending.
As the debate over USAID’s role and effectiveness unfolds, the allegations underscore the complexities of foreign aid and the unintended consequences that can arise from poorly managed programs.
By PRNigeria
