Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has described as belated the recent claim by United States Congressman Scott Perry that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram.
Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, Ayokunle criticized the international community, particularly the US Congress, for not addressing the matter sooner.
“I will blame the international community, especially the United States Congress,” the cleric stated. “If they knew this truth a long time ago, why are they coming out now? Is it not almost too late? Why did they allow this type of thing to be done to Nigeria?”
The former CAN president recalled that during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria sought assistance from the US to combat Boko Haram, but the plea was ignored.
“We have been suspecting this for a long time. Those days when President Jonathan was pleading with the United States of America for support, they refused to help. That was during the time of President Barack Obama. They claimed that our military would not be cautious enough in the use of ammunition,” he recounted.
According to Ayokunle, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had long warned that terrorist groups in Nigeria enjoyed foreign sponsorship and an uninterrupted supply of cash and arms. However, he lamented that such warnings were downplayed or misinterpreted.
“Now, it is coming out. USAID is now alleged to be behind the sponsorship of Boko Haram in Nigeria,” he said.
Ayokunle urged Nigerian authorities not to overlook the allegations made by Congressman Scott Perry, stressing the credibility of such a high-ranking official.
“I will not take Scott Perry for granted because he didn’t talk about Nigeria alone; he talked about the same organisation, USAID, being used in the same way in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other places.
“Can he be very irrational and just be talking with every side of his mouth? You can’t take such a caliber of individual for granted. For what reason will the congressman implicate an organisation of his country?” he questioned.
The cleric also criticized Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies for failing to detect the alleged foreign funding of terrorist groups until it was revealed by an American congressman.
“All the security agencies that we have – Customs and Immigration – how can they be easily beaten without apprehending this monumental danger coming upon our nation? The ammunition that our military and police don’t have, these people have them.
“Even amidst them also, I suspect that insincere people are there because there is no way these terrorists will be receiving these things that they won’t know,” he said.
Ayokunle called on the Federal Government to launch a thorough investigation into the allegations and ensure that all sources of terror funding are blocked.
“The Nigerian government should investigate how a foreign organisation is distributing money and weapons to a terrorist group in Nigeria and nobody discovered that. It means their roof is leaking.
“It’s not too late; this war must be brought to an end. And every source of funding beyond that of USAID must be investigated, and blocked, henceforth. Enough is enough,” he declared.
In response to the claims, the Nigerian Senate has summoned the heads of intelligence agencies to provide clarifications on the matter. Lawmakers expressed concerns over the implications of the allegations and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has dismissed the claim that USAID funded Boko Haram or any other insurgent group. He reassured Nigerians that the agency remains committed to providing humanitarian aid and development support.
Boko Haram, one of the deadliest terrorist groups in Africa, has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East region. The group’s access to funding, sophisticated weapons, and logistics has long raised concerns about external sponsorship.
As Nigeria grapples with ongoing security challenges, Ayokunle’s remarks add to growing calls for transparency, accountability, and a renewed global effort to cut off financial and material support to terrorist organisations.
