The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has called for a thorough probe into the allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding terrorist organisations, including Nigeria’s deadly Boko Haram.
The group in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Disu Kamor, said it is deeply concerned about the allegations made by US Congressman Scott Perry on Thursday, during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.
“These allegations are extremely disturbing, considering Boko Haram’s horrific track record of killing thousands of innocent Nigerians, mostly Muslims in the north, over the last 20 years,” the statement read.
“Furthermore, the allegation extends to the sponsoring of the kidnapping of the Chibok Girls, one of the most heinous crimes committed by Boko Haram. The thought that a foreign agency may have played a role in the abduction of these innocent girls is unbearable and warrants immediate attention.”
MPAC said the allegations bring to light the gross injustice perpetrated against Nigerian Muslims, who have been wrongfully accused of using Boko Haram to Islamize Nigeria.
“For years, Muslims in Nigeria have been subjected to unfair scrutiny and suspicion, with many being branded as sympathizers or supporters of the terrorist group.
“However, it now appears that a foreign government has been secretly funding and coordinating Boko Haram’s activities, exposing the blatant hypocrisy and double standards of those who have been quick to blame Nigerian Muslims for the group’s atrocities.”
Kamor asked the Nigerian parliament to initiate a thorough investigation into the allegations.
He said the Nigerian people deserve to know the truth about any potential involvement of foreign agencies in sponsoring terrorism in their country.
“The allegations made by Congressman Perry are not only a slap in the face to the victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities, but also a betrayal of the trust that Nigeria has placed in the United States as a partner in the fight against terrorism. We demand that our government takes immediate action to get to the bottom of this matter and ensures that those responsible are held accountable,” he added.
MPAC also urged the US government to take the allegations seriously, noting the American people deserve to know that their tax dollars are being used to fund terrorist organizations that have caused immense harm and suffering to innocent people around the world.
The Nigerian Muslim group said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and demand justice for the victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities.
“We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to ensure that those responsible for sponsoring terrorism are held accountable,” the statement read.
