USAID allegedly funded Boko Haram: Nigerians demand answers from Aisha Yesufu

DDM News

USAID is at the center of controversy after revelations that the agency allegedly funded terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, sparking calls for activist Aisha Yesufu to explain her involvement in the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign.

The revelation has reignited long-standing suspicions among some Nigerians that the BBOG movement was politically motivated to remove former President Goodluck Jonathan from power.

USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, reportedly channeled around $697 million annually to terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS, according to U.S. Congressman Scott Perry.

Perry made the claim during a congressional hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, where he discussed the misappropriation of taxpayer funds.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) his statement has fueled fresh debates in Nigeria, particularly concerning the role of USAID in the 2014 Chibok girls’ abduction and the subsequent Bring Back Our Girls campaign.

The kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014, by suspected Boko Haram members sparked a global outcry and led to the formation of the BBOG movement.

Many Nigerians have long suspected that the abduction and the campaign were orchestrated and sponsored by foreign interests to discredit Jonathan, who hailed from a minority ethnic group in Nigeria.

Jonathan eventually lost the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, with the BBOG campaign playing a significant role in shaping public opinion.

With the recent USAID funding allegations, some social media users, particularly on X, have called on Aisha Yesufu to clarify her role in the movement.

Several X users suggested that USAID may have secretly supported the BBOG campaign as part of a broader strategy to weaken Jonathan’s administration.

One user, @anthonyabakporo, wrote: “I still stand that Aisha Yesufu @AishaYesufu should either apologize or tell us why she thinks she is innocent. Insulting David Hundeyin @DavidHundeyin is not addressing the ‘Truth.’”

Another user, @ogidi_odogwu, directly asked: “Aisha Yusufu, what do you say about the exposé by @DOGE regarding USAID sponsoring Boko Haram and the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaign to unseat GEJ?”

Similarly, @MikelBardsdale criticized Yesufu, stating: “Aisha, I’m sorry for you. Refusal to admit an honest mistake has destroyed your image and usefulness. Pride messed you up. Your value is now 20%.”

However, Aisha Yesufu has firmly denied that USAID or any foreign organization sponsored the BBOG movement.

She dismissed the allegations as baseless and maintained that her activism was purely in the interest of justice and accountability.

In response to the criticism, Yesufu reiterated that she is focused on promoting good governance and leadership in Nigeria.

“Just so you know, Aisha Yesufu is currently working with like-minded Nigerians who are not afraid to put in the work for Nigeria to be a great nation,” she wrote in a post on X.

She added that her efforts are directed at ensuring that competent, honest, and capable individuals occupy leadership positions to improve governance.

“Yesufu is working on getting people with competence, character, and capacity into leadership positions so they can give good governance, accountability, and transparency,” the post stated.

The controversy over USAID’s alleged involvement in funding terrorist organizations has now cast a shadow over several initiatives linked to the agency in Nigeria.

Many Nigerians are now questioning whether USAID’s funding over the years has been properly monitored and whether any other programs may have been indirectly supporting violent extremist groups.

Congressman Scott Perry’s statement highlighted that U.S. taxpayer money, primarily through USAID, was allegedly being funneled into various terrorist organizations worldwide.

“Your money—$697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash—funds Madrasa, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, and terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,” Perry said during the hearing.

His comments have led to widespread backlash against USAID, with Nigerians demanding that the agency clarify how its funds are allocated.

The news has also intensified scrutiny on previous U.S.-Nigeria relations, particularly regarding counterterrorism efforts and foreign assistance.

Several Nigerian commentators have argued that if USAID indeed played a role in funding Boko Haram, then the organization may have indirectly contributed to the insurgency’s devastation in Nigeria.

The insurgency, which has lasted for over a decade, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions across the country.

Despite the allegations, USAID has not issued any official statement responding to Perry’s claims or the accusations being raised on social media.

Some Nigerian analysts argue that USAID has historically funded development projects in the country and may not have been directly involved in financing terrorism.

However, others believe the agency should be held accountable for any unintended consequences of its financial allocations.

The ongoing controversy has further divided public opinion, with some Nigerians seeing Aisha Yesufu as a scapegoat, while others demand that she take responsibility for her role in BBOG.

A section of the public insists that even if Yesufu was unaware of USAID’s alleged involvement, she should acknowledge that the BBOG campaign had political implications.

As debates continue, the focus remains on USAID and whether more revelations will emerge regarding its funding of terrorist organizations.

The allegations have also raised concerns about the effectiveness of international oversight in preventing aid funds from falling into the wrong hands.

Many Nigerians are now calling for a thorough investigation into USAID’s financial activities in Nigeria to determine whether the agency inadvertently fueled terrorism.

For now, Aisha Yesufu maintains her innocence, emphasizing that her advocacy remains centered on justice and good governance.

However, the controversy surrounding USAID, BBOG, and Boko Haram’s funding is unlikely to fade anytime soon, as Nigerians demand answers and accountability.

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