incognitoTz
Senior Member
- Apr 19, 2019
- 133
- 172
In a recent development that has stirred international controversy, U.S. Congressman Scott Perry from Pennsylvania has made startling allegations suggesting that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has indirectly funded the terrorist group Boko Haram. This claim surfaced during a congressional hearing, specifically at the inaugural session of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, themed "The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud."
The Allegations:
During the session, Congressman Perry accused USAID of channeling funds to terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram. He cited an annual expenditure of $697 million, which he claimed was misallocated to various extremist groups. Perry specifically mentioned that USAID had been involved in providing $136 million for building 120 schools in Pakistan, with no evidence of the schools' actual construction, hinting at potential mismanagement or misuse of funds. He further elaborated that this funding extended to "Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps," indicating a broad spectrum of terrorist entities allegedly benefiting from USAID's financial aid.
Social Media Reaction:
The allegations were quickly picked up on social media, leading to a thread on X (formerly Twitter) where users expressed their shock and outrage. One post by
@firstladyship
on February 14, 2025, at 09:48 UTC, highlighted the name "Barack Hussein Obama II," suggesting that during his administration, Boko Haram received USAID funding while then-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (GEJ) was restricted from buying arms. The user also accused Obama of mobilizing arms from Libya post-Gaddafi to incite chaos in Nigeria.
Other users on X engaged in heated discussions:
Trending Topic:
The controversy gained traction as it became associated with the trending topic "U.S. Congressman Scott Perry has stirred controversy by alleging that USAID has indirectly funded Boko Haram." This trend was accompanied by additional posts from various users, including
@NigeriaStories
and
@omorogiec
, who expressed disbelief and anger towards the allegations, with some directly cursing Obama for the alleged involvement in destabilizing Nigeria.
Web reporting
Web search results provided by sources like Daily Post Nigeria and Nigeria Info FM reiterated Congressman Perry's allegations, mentioning his claims during the hearing. A report from Fox News highlighted a study by the Middle East Forum, which found that USAID provided millions in funding to groups linked with terrorist organizations, although Boko Haram was not specifically mentioned in this context. The report did, however, detail funds going to organizations like Bayader Association, which operates in Gaza and has ties to Hamas.
Official Responses and Further Investigation:
Despite these allegations, there has been no definitive proof presented publicly, and the claims remain under scrutiny. USAID has not publicly responded to these specific allegations, but historical data from their official communications shows their involvement in humanitarian efforts in Nigeria, aimed at combating the effects of Boko Haram's violence through aid in healthcare, education, and economic growth, without any indication of funding the terrorist group directly.
The implications of these allegations, if proven true, could significantly impact U.S. foreign policy, USAID's operations, and international relations, particularly with nations affected by terrorism. Given the gravity of the situation, calls for a thorough investigation have been made to either substantiate or refute these claims, ensuring transparency and accountability in international aid distribution.
As this story develops, it underscores the complexities of foreign aid, the potential for misuse, and the critical need for oversight in international development programs. The debate continues both on social media and in political arenas, with the world watching closely for any official responses or investigations that might follow.
The Allegations:
During the session, Congressman Perry accused USAID of channeling funds to terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram. He cited an annual expenditure of $697 million, which he claimed was misallocated to various extremist groups. Perry specifically mentioned that USAID had been involved in providing $136 million for building 120 schools in Pakistan, with no evidence of the schools' actual construction, hinting at potential mismanagement or misuse of funds. He further elaborated that this funding extended to "Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps," indicating a broad spectrum of terrorist entities allegedly benefiting from USAID's financial aid.
Social Media Reaction:
The allegations were quickly picked up on social media, leading to a thread on X (formerly Twitter) where users expressed their shock and outrage. One post by
@firstladyship
on February 14, 2025, at 09:48 UTC, highlighted the name "Barack Hussein Obama II," suggesting that during his administration, Boko Haram received USAID funding while then-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (GEJ) was restricted from buying arms. The user also accused Obama of mobilizing arms from Libya post-Gaddafi to incite chaos in Nigeria.
Other users on X engaged in heated discussions:
- @Bullion_van9
accused former President Obama and his wife of funding Boko Haram, indirectly linking them to the crisis of missing girls, referencing the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. - @AlphaM61082
responded with a direct accusation of wickedness against Obama and his wife, further fueling the conversation. - Some users, like
@maxigee_
, pointed out the irony in the political support dynamics, while others, such as
@Ogwa_30
, expressed strong personal sentiments against Obama.
Trending Topic:
The controversy gained traction as it became associated with the trending topic "U.S. Congressman Scott Perry has stirred controversy by alleging that USAID has indirectly funded Boko Haram." This trend was accompanied by additional posts from various users, including
@NigeriaStories
and
@omorogiec
, who expressed disbelief and anger towards the allegations, with some directly cursing Obama for the alleged involvement in destabilizing Nigeria.
Web reporting
Web search results provided by sources like Daily Post Nigeria and Nigeria Info FM reiterated Congressman Perry's allegations, mentioning his claims during the hearing. A report from Fox News highlighted a study by the Middle East Forum, which found that USAID provided millions in funding to groups linked with terrorist organizations, although Boko Haram was not specifically mentioned in this context. The report did, however, detail funds going to organizations like Bayader Association, which operates in Gaza and has ties to Hamas.
Official Responses and Further Investigation:
Despite these allegations, there has been no definitive proof presented publicly, and the claims remain under scrutiny. USAID has not publicly responded to these specific allegations, but historical data from their official communications shows their involvement in humanitarian efforts in Nigeria, aimed at combating the effects of Boko Haram's violence through aid in healthcare, education, and economic growth, without any indication of funding the terrorist group directly.
The implications of these allegations, if proven true, could significantly impact U.S. foreign policy, USAID's operations, and international relations, particularly with nations affected by terrorism. Given the gravity of the situation, calls for a thorough investigation have been made to either substantiate or refute these claims, ensuring transparency and accountability in international aid distribution.
As this story develops, it underscores the complexities of foreign aid, the potential for misuse, and the critical need for oversight in international development programs. The debate continues both on social media and in political arenas, with the world watching closely for any official responses or investigations that might follow.
