*Says “If the U.S. Government Were Funding Terrorism, We Would Know and Expose It”
Prominent human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe, who played a pivotal role in securing U.S. sanctions against the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram, has strongly refuted claims by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that USAID is funding Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.
Ogebe, a top global expert on Nigerian terrorism, described the allegations as “blatantly false” and released documents detailing his concerns about USAID programs in Nigeria.
Ogebe, who testified before the U.S. Congress leading to the designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 2013, emphasized that he has consistently worked to expose terrorism financing and arms smuggling in Nigeria. He recounted his efforts to investigate Turkish Airlines after obtaining evidence of pilots discussing arms smuggling into Nigeria, as well as his collaboration with U.S. congressional delegations on fact-finding missions to Nigeria.
“If the U.S. government were funding terrorism, we would know and expose it,” Ogebe stated. “These baseless attacks on USAID are merely an attempt to give a dog a bad name after hanging it.”
In a detailed correspondence with senior USAID leadership during the Biden administration, Ogebe raised several concerns about the agency’s programs in Nigeria. He highlighted issues such as the allocation of $15 million for mosquito nets in Plateau State, where terrorism remains the primary threat to public health and security. Ogebe argued that a fraction of these funds could be better utilized to upgrade Plateau Hospital, which is in dire need of renovation.
Ogebe also criticized USAID’s peace-building initiatives in Plateau State, noting that the programs lacked measurable impact and failed to address the root causes of violence. He pointed out that the Fulani invasions, which have caused widespread devastation, predate Nigeria’s existence and cannot be attributed to climate change or communal conflicts.
“The biggest mortality driver in Plateau State is terrorists, not mosquitoes,” Ogebe wrote. “Terrorism is a public health, food security, and national security crisis.”
Ogebe shared his personal experiences of providing humanitarian assistance to victims of terrorism in Nigeria, including building a house for a widow whose family was brutally attacked by Boko Haram. He also mentioned his efforts to secure scholarships for survivors and his involvement in negotiating the release of kidnapped individuals, such as Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu.
Despite his criticisms, Ogebe expressed a willingness to collaborate with USAID to improve its programs in Nigeria. He proposed several initiatives, including a medical aid compact to deliver much-needed supplies to Plateau State, a reallocation of funds to upgrade Plateau Hospital, and a modern community redevelopment scheme to rebuild devastated areas.
Ogebe also addressed recent misinformation about U.S. involvement in Nigeria, including false claims that the CIA rescued Chibok girls from Sambisa Forest. He reiterated his commitment to exposing the truth and holding both governments and individuals accountable for their actions.
“I have spent decades fighting terrorism and advocating for justice in Nigeria,” Ogebe said. “My work with the U.S. Congress and my ongoing efforts to support victims of terrorism demonstrate my commitment to truth and accountability.”




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