Nigerians have expressed outrage at the revelation by a US congressman that United States Aid For International Development (USAID) under the Barack Obama and Joe Biden administrations has funded terrorist organisations like Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Khorasan, among others.

Scott Perry, a United States Congressman representing Pennsylvania, made this disclosure at the inaugural hearing of the Sub-committee on Delivering on Government Efficiency on Thursday, after President Donald Trump shut down the agency accusing it of massive corruption.

Speaking during a session titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” Perry accused USAID of providing $136 million for building 120 schools in Pakistan, stressing that there was “zero evidence” of the construction of the schools.

According to Perry: “Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding.

“You are funding terrorism, and it’s coming through USAID. And it’s not just Afghanistan, because Pakistan’s right next door.

“Somebody else got the money. You are paying for terrorism. This has got to end.”

Speaking to LEADERSHIP on Friday, an international affairs analyst and journalist, Dr. Austin Maho, said although it was outrageous, there has always been suspicion about covert activities directed to destabilise Nigeria and other third-world countries even as he called for a thorough probe to ascertain the true situation.

He said that in the past, many high ranking US officials have at one time or the other accused the US of sponsoring ISIS and the attendant political distabilisation of the Middle East and Africa, noting that evidence abound on the internet.

He said, however, the US sponsorship of Boko Haram was a different ball game and strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s security, which needed further probe.

“There have been serious questions in the past as to why the Nigerian army has not been able to completely wipe out Boko Haram. Who funds them and supplies them weapons? What is behind their surviving power in almost two decades of war? The revelation may just be the answer to these questions.

“However I think the statement of one congressman, as weighty as it is, is not enough for us to jump into conclusion. We need collaboration, we need hard evidence. The Nigerian government should launch a probe into this matter to get to the bottom of it, because it concerns our national security. One Congressman saying it isn’t quite enough for me. There should be corroboration,” he added.

Also speaking to LEADERSHIP on Friday, Professor Yusuf Zoaka of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, said the allegation by the US lawmaker was a serious and controversial claim that required careful scrutiny.

He stressed that USAID is a federal agency primarily focused on providing humanitarian aid, economic development, and disaster relief globally. Its mission was to promote peace and stability, making the allegation of funding terrorism highly contradictory to its stated objectives.

The University don, however, pointed out that as of now, there was no publicly available credible evidence to support the claim that USAID was funding Boko Haram or any other terrorist organisation, adding that such allegations demanded thorough investigation and substantiation before being accepted as a fact.

He said further that the USAID often worked in conflict zones to address the root causes of extremism, such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment. Its programs were designed to undermine the appeal of terrorist groups like Boko Haram, not support them.

He noted that the allegation could stem from misunderstandings about how aid was distributed in conflict zones. “In some cases, aid resources may inadvertently fall into the hands of malicious actors due to the complex nature of these environments, but this is not the same as intentional funding.

“Such allegations, if substantiated, could harm USAID’s reputation and undermine its ability to carry out its humanitarian

“It should, however, be said that the allegations had tainted the work of USAID and its credibility. We should not forget that recently the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) had complained that most of the terrorists killed or arrested were found to be in possession of US Dollars.

“This certainly needs to be properly investigated to ascertain the veracity of the allegations. ‘There is no smoke without fire’ if we consider the predictions of the USA government that Nigeria will collapse by 2015,” he said.

At the time of filing this report on Friday, the United States Embassy in Abuja was yet to respond to inquiries sent to it for a possible reaction to this disclosure.

In a related development, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ acting spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, was yet to issue a reaction of the Ministry on the vexed issue at the time of filing this report on Friday.

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro is the new manager of the Egyptian Premier League club, Zamalek.

Jose Peseiro has signed an 18-month contract with the White Knights, a decision that showcases Zamalek’s intent to strengthen their coaching staff following a series of disappointing performances.

Peseiro steps in to replace Christian Gross, a former Tottenham Hotspur manager, who was dismissed after struggling to meet the expectations of the 14-time Egyptian champions.

Under Peseiro’s leadership, Zamalek are hoping to regain their competitive edge in both domestic and continental competitions.

As part of his agreement, Peseiro’s monthly salary will be $75,000 until the end of the current season, reflecting Zamalek’s ambition to attract a highly qualified coach.

If he remains with the club for the next season, his salary is set to increase to $85,000, indicating the club’s confidence in his potential to lead them to success.

Interestingly, Peseiro, who is 64 years old, has a notable history in Egyptian football, having previously managed Zamalek’s fierce rivals, Al Ahly.

In related news, the head coach of the Black Satellites, Ghana’s U-20 national football team, Desmond Ofei, expressed his relief at avoiding their perennial rivals, Nigeria, in the group stage of the upcoming 2025 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations.

The draw for this highly anticipated tournament was conducted on Thursday at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Egypt and has generated significant excitement among the teams involved.

Ghana has been placed in Group A alongside the hosts, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and a yet-to-be-determined team from the UNIFFAC region, setting the stage for a compelling series of matches.

In contrast, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles find themselves in a challenging Group B, facing off against formidable opponents such as Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.

Reflecting on Ghana’s draw, Ofei stated, “We’re happy that we’re not in Group B because that’s a very interesting group.”

He further emphasized his confidence in his team’s abilities, noting, “I feel like we’re in a position where we can control the narrative of this tournament from our perspective.”

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have shot dead a 46-year-old private health worker, Akinola Oyabiyi in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

A source who revealed the incident to LEADERSHIP said the tragic incident occurred around 8pm on Tuesday in the Akure Airport area of Akure North Local Government.

The deceased, a father of four, was reportedly driving home when he was attacked and killed by the assailants while his nine-year-old son was abducted by the hoodlums.

This latest killing followed series of violent incidents reported in the area, which includes the recent murder of five farmers and multiple kidnappings.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to a university, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s educational advancement.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Friday during a working visit to the institution. He disclosed that President Tinubu promptly approved the request after their discussion.

Alausa stated, “The rector said some minutes ago that the staff, students, and management of the college have been praying and fasting that it be converted to a university. 

“When I discussed the issue with President Bola Tinubu, he did not waste time in approving. I am just waiting for the memo and other necessary protocols from the appropriate quarters.”

YABATECH Ready For University Status

Alausa praised the institution for its academic contributions, noting that YABATECH is well-equipped for the transition.

“This school is a legacy, and with over 200 staff members holding doctorate degrees in various fields, it is more than ready and fit to become a university. All the credit for this should go to the president, who loves education and is concerned about giving the best to the youths who are our future leaders,” he said.

The minister emphasized that the conversion aligns with the Tinubu administration’s efforts to advance technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education, which could reduce the mass exodus of Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.

“We are not taking the issue of artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, and others with levity. We know that if our youths are good at those things, they can be in Nigeria and be working for firms in many parts of the world, earning foreign exchange. That will help stem this Japa of a thing, where people would travel abroad to do menial jobs,” he added.

Earlier, YABATECH’s Rector, Ibrahim Abdul, reiterated the need for the institution’s upgrade.

“While we are praying that we become a university, we don’t want to become just one of those universities. We want to be a university of technical and vocational education that would bring innovation and solve societal problems,” he said.

The rector highlighted that with over 200 PhD holders on staff, YABATECH has the manpower and only requires government support to fulfil its aspirations.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that the death toll from the fatal crash involving a truck beneath the Muhammadu Buhari Interchange Flyover in Hotoro, Kano, has risen to 23, while 48 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The accident, which occurred at approximately 9:50pm on Thursday night, involved a DAF model trailer carrying goods and passengers. According to the FRSC, dangerous driving due to overspeeding led to loss of control, causing the vehicle to overturn under the bridge.

In an official statement, the Public Relations Officer of the FRSC RS1.2 Kano Sector Command, CRC Abdullahi Labaran, said: “The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kano Sector Command regrets to report a fatal Road Traffic Crash (RTC) that occurred on 13th February 2025 at approximately 2150 hours along the Kano-Maiduguri Road, under the Muhammadu Buhari Interchange Flyover, Hotoro.”

The FRSC has since launched an investigation into the accident. The Sector Commander, CC UM Matazu, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and urged drivers to avoid overloading trailers with goods, animals, and passengers to prevent similar tragedies.

“The obstruction caused by the accident has been cleared, and the free flow of traffic has been restored,” the FRSC statement added.

The FRSC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety on Nigerian roads even as it urged all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has approved a one-year moratorium on new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics.

He, however, exempted health institutions due to low enrollment challenges.

This was contained in a statement by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, on Thursday in Kaduna.

Bugaje said the moratorium which takes immediate effect means that all new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics are put on hold for 12 months.

He, however, said institutions currently being assessed will be required to pay specific fees to continue the registration process.

He said, “Polytechnics awaiting ministerial approval will be required to pay an application fee of N4 million and a processing fee of N2 million per programme of study.

“Monotechnics, on the other hand, will pay an application fee of N2 million and a processing fee of N1 million per programme of study.

“Applicants have 30 days to pay these fees, failure to which will result in the termination of the registration process.

“New health institutions, which are exempted from the moratorium, will pay the same fees as Monotechnics for registration.”

According to the NBTE executive secretary, the objective of the move is to ensure that tertiary Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions are properly populated within their approved carrying capacities.

NAN

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna on Thursday ordered that a 36-year-old driver, Mustapha Aminu, receive 15 strokes of the cane for assaulting a police officer on duty.

The convict, who resides in Ungwan Sanusi, Kaduna, was found guilty of hitting a police officer, Sergeant Adamu Maigari, on the head with a log of wood.

Aminu pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Emmanuel, who issued the order, said the punishment was intended to make the convict fully understand the gravity of his offence.

“This will also serve as a warning to others who may consider committing such crimes. I hereby order a court official to administer 15 strokes of the cane,” he ruled.

Emmanuel warned Aminu to desist from such acts and focus on his job to become a responsible member of society.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that on January 29, at about 2 p.m., the driver assaulted and injured a police officer while he was performing his duty.

Leo explained that the driver had been driving recklessly, and when the officer stopped him, he struck the officer with a log of wood.

He added that the offence contravened Section 237 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

(NAN)

A confrontation recently erupted at a checkpoint in Jeddo, Delta State, between personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force, creating a chaotic scene that drew widespread attention.

Clarifying the cause of the altercation in a post on X.com on Thursday, the state police spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, said the incident occurred when policemen were transporting a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian hemp, and Canadian loud.

However, upon reaching the checkpoint, Air Force personnel, who allegedly knew the suspect, intercepted the police officers and demanded the suspect’s release.

Edafe wrote: “The policemen attached to QRS were on their way with a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian hemp, and Canadian loud.

“But Air Force personnel, who happened to know the suspect, intercepted them and insisted that the policemen release him before proceeding. When the officers refused, the Air Force personnel attacked them unprovoked.”

Edafe described the clash as unfortunate and assured the public that the matter was being addressed.

He added: “This issue is being handled. We recognise the cordial relationship we have with the Nigerian Air Force in Delta State. The Delta State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and the Air Force authorities are looking into the incident and putting measures in place to ensure that such a shameful event does not happen again.”

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a clarification on the allegations raised by the Senate on the purported disappearance of 3,907 firearms from its armoury.

On Tuesday, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun appeared before the
Senate Committee on Public Accounts to respond to audit queries flagged in the 2019 Auditor-General Report.

The report said the auditors could not account for 3,907 arms, thereby prompting the Senate to demand explanations.

Egbetokun, represented by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abdul, was also demanded to disclose ongoing efforts to track and recover them.

However, the police in a press release on Thursday, signed by its spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the audit report specifically used the term “unaccounted” and not “missing” as speculated by media organisations.

“The Force wishes to clarify that this report appears to stem from an assessment of the report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, AuGF dating back to 2019, likely reflecting records compiled prior to the current Inspector-General of Police’s tenure.

“In the report, according to Issue 3b, Sub (iii), it is stated that 3907 arms were unaccounted for and not “missing” as speculated by the news,” the police said, describing the reports as “misleading and inaccurate.”

In the statement, the police acknowledged the detriment of civil unrest on the lives of its officers where their arms are often carted away and their facilities and armouries looted, which could result in the loss of arms.

“However, every effort has been made to account for the arms that were taken, while many have been recovered back to the arms holding of the force at the moment.

“We also note that when auditors conduct visits to our armories, they may not find all arms present at the time due to the issuance of weapons to personnel for operational purposes, many spanning to months depending on the nature of such operations.

“Consequently, this may lead to misconceptions regarding the accuracy of audit reports,” the police noted.

The police further said that they have a statutory and annual internal auditing process in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Police Regulations, administrative instructions and standard operating procedures (SOP) that ensure strict measures to the controlled movement and proper accountability of arms.

It said that throughout its audit sessions, there has been no outrageous record of unaccounted or missing arms, as speculated in the 2019 report of the AuGF, despite some incidents that have been documented and managed.

The police recall defending the audit queries, which it said hoped to help in reconciling the discrepancies in the reports.

“However, the hearing session presided over by the Senate Committee on Public Account has been postponed to Monday, 17th of February 2025, giving ample time for a proper cross analysis of records.

“Contrary to the make-believe and misleading reportage by some media houses, the IGP was not present when the senators were raising questions on the purported “missing” firearms.

“The IGP appeared briefly before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday 11/02/25.

“He was asked to take the usual oath and explain why he did not honour previous invitations by the committee

“The IGP responded to the satisfaction of the commitee members and was thereafter excused to take his leave while the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Police Accounts and Budget, stayed back to answer the queries of the committee,” the police clarified.

It added that the queries related to the period that predated the administration of the current IGP. “For emphasis sake, no such outrageous number of firearms is missing in the armouries of the NPF within the stated period,” it emphasised.

“Managing mischief and the spread of misinformation against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been a significant challenge in recent times.

“The NPF has, in recent times, made notable strides in stabilizing the internal security space, but malicious actors seek to undermine these efforts by striving to erode public confidence in the police through the spread of malicious contents

“It is important to note that the proliferation of misinformation, especially against institutions like the Nigeria Police have far-reaching consequences, including compromising public safety, damaging reputations, and hindering the NPF’s ability to effectively maintain law and order.

“However, the NPF remains committed to maintaining transparency and public trust and will continue to uphold the security of the nation while honouring the duty to account for all operational materials entrusted to us,” the police said.