Olusegun Ariyo
A retired Joint Task Force (JTF) Commander, Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has responded to claims by U.S. lawmaker, Scott Perry that the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, is allegedly sponsoring acts of terrorism worldwide, including in Nigeria.
Recall that US Congressman, Scott Perry had alleged that USAID was providing funding to terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram.
The Republican politician representing Pennsylvania said this during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last week.
He said, “Your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps,” Perry stated.
USAID has recently been put under intense scrutiny, particularly from President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, alleging that it was mismanaging and wasting U.S. taxpayer funds.
But speaking to Newsmen in Kano, Dr. Wudilawa also pointed to visible signs of foreign involvement in Nigeria’s security crisis, particularly in the tactics and operations of Boko Haram terrorists.
He highlighted that the insurgents possess advanced military training, sophisticated weaponry, and other forms of support that could only come through external partnerships.
“The weapons used by terrorists in the forests are not purchased by the Nigerian government. They have sophisticated arms that even our security forces do not possess,” he stated.
Dr. Wudilawa further claimed that captured insurgents have been found with foreign currencies, and there have been repeated sightings of helicopters allegedly supplying weapons and other resources to terrorist groups.
He called on both the Nigerian government and the public to remain vigilant and patriotic.
He urged residents to promptly report any suspicious activity to security agencies while emphasizing the need for the government to safeguard the lives and sovereignty of its citizens.
