The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Olajide, has emphasized the need for local community involvement and grassroots intelligence operatives to effectively combat terrorism in Nigeria.
The lawmaker, fondly called OdidiOmo and representing Ibadan North West/South West in the House of Representatives, made this statement during the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee. The committee was formed to investigate allegations made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry against the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regarding alleged terrorism funding in Nigeria and other countries.
Following widespread concern over the serious allegations that USAID was allegedly funding Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria, the House of Representatives resolved to establish the ad-hoc committee to investigate the claims.
During the session, Hon. Adedeji stressed that Nigeria’s reliance on foreign aid alone cannot resolve the country’s major security challenges.
He stated: “Instead, we must ensure the involvement of our local communities and grassroots intelligence operatives. We must map out a security framework that is robust enough to neutralize terrorism at its roots.”
The lawmaker also called for a thorough investigation and decisive action. “These allegations made by the U.S. Congressman against USAID must be thoroughly examined to determine their accuracy, and appropriate actions must be taken swiftly,” he added.
He reiterated the need for a more self-reliant security strategy, emphasizing, “We must develop a security framework capable of neutralizing terrorism at its roots rather than relying on foreign aid, which has largely been ineffective.”
