The Senate on Wednesday summoned intelligence chiefs to investigate allegations made by US Congressman Perry Scott that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.
Senator Mohammed Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, raised an Order of Urgent National Security under Order 41.
He urged the Senate to take the revelation seriously, given the devastation caused by terrorists, particularly Boko Haram.
He emphasized that a thorough investigation would end speculation about how non-state actors have managed to survive over the years.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the proposal but emphasized that security issues are better handled behind closed doors. He stated that intelligence officials would offer the Senate with a more detailed perspective in a private briefing.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), a motion co-sponsor, proposed an amendment that requires security chiefs to 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.”
