By Emmanuel Nduka
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has dismissed claims that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria, asserting that there is no evidence to support such allegations.
Mills made the statement while speaking to the press following his presentation at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night.
He pointed out that Boko Haram has been officially labeled as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 2013 and challenged anyone with evidence of misappropriation to present it for a thorough investigation in partnership with Nigerian authorities.
The ambassador reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram’s violent activities.
“No country has condemned Boko Haram’s violence and disregard for human life more strongly than the United States,” Mills emphasized.
He also explained that the 2013 designation as a foreign terrorist organization aimed to prevent Boko Haram from accessing U.S. assets. This designation allows the U.S. to arrest members of the group and cooperate with Nigerian law enforcement in investigations.
Mills assured that there are strict procedures in place to ensure USAID and other U.S. funding, including resources from the Department of Defense, do not fall into the hands of terrorist groups like Boko Haram.
He added, “I have seen absolutely no evidence to suggest that any USAID funds have been misappropriated in this way. Should any evidence arise, we would promptly investigate in collaboration with our Nigerian partners”.
In closing, Mills made it clear that the U.S. remains firmly aligned with Nigeria in the shared goal of eradicating Boko Haram and its destructive influence in the country.
