DHQ reacts to US congressman allegations, says Boko Haram has foreign backers

The Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General Adekunle Ariyibi, has confirmed that Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) receive foreign funding.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Ariyibi stated that the terrorist groups have benefited from external collaboration, including financial and logistical support, which has prolonged their activities for over 15 years.

“There’s no doubt about it that this sort of operation cannot be sustainable for the past 15 years without some sort of external collaboration and assistance,” he said.

He further noted that their alliance with ISIS has granted them access to sophisticated weaponry, international funding, and even drone technology for surveillance and attacks.

His words: “It’s obvious that the operations of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) have metamorphosized since their allegiance with ISIS, and they have had access to international funding which is beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“It’s obvious in the calibre of weapons you see them display. It’s obvious in the sort of sustainability plans that they have. Right now, they are moving into drones and not only surveillance drones but also drones that can deliver leather weaponry.”

His statement follows claims made by US Congressman Scott Perry, who alleged that the now-aborted United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had funded terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.

The Federal Government has previously named individuals and Bureau de Change (BDC) operators as terrorism financiers, with authorities in the UAE and the US also taking action against individuals linked to funding terrorist activities.