Terrorists In Northern Nigeria, Sahel Now Using Drones, Cryptocurrency – UN

The United Nations has raised concerns over the growing sophistication of terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across West Africa and the Sahel, warning that they are increasingly deploying drones, advanced communication technology and cryptocurrencies to strengthen their operations.

The warning was delivered by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Simão, during a briefing to the UN Security Council.

Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report on developments in the region, covering the period from November 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026, Simão said extremist groups were becoming more adaptive and difficult to combat.

The briefing took place as the Security Council reviewed the political, security and humanitarian situation in West Africa and the Sahel, following its decision to extend UNOWAS’ mandate until January 31, 2029.

According to Simão, armed groups are increasingly relying on emerging technologies to coordinate cross-border attacks and expand their influence.

“Armed groups are increasingly using drones, sophisticated communications and cryptocurrencies while coordinating operations across borders,” he told the Council.

He noted that terrorist activities had become closely linked with transnational organised crime, enabling the groups to strengthen their territorial and economic control while undermining state authority.

“The problem is acute, especially in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria,” Simão said.

“Their actions intersect with transnational organised crime and are aimed at consolidating territorial and economic control, eroding public confidence in state authority and causing serious damage to social cohesion.”

The UN official said Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to record persistent terrorist attacks, kidnappings and heavy civilian casualties.

He disclosed that insecurity across the region has displaced about 6.8 million people, while an additional 1.28 million have fled their homes as refugees or asylum seekers.

Simão added that women, children and young people remain the worst affected by the humanitarian crisis, noting that escalating violence and inadequate funding have significantly hampered relief efforts.

Despite the security challenges, he highlighted signs of improving regional cooperation, including the reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger.

He also commended progress by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice judgment on the two countries’ land and maritime boundary.

“These are some examples of regional efforts towards dialogue,” he said.

Simão stressed that military operations alone would not defeat terrorism, urging governments to complement security measures with policies that tackle poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic conditions that fuel violent extremism.

“Fighting poverty and vulnerability must therefore remain a common objective in the broader fight against terrorism. Regional actors are working hard to find solutions,” he said.

He further disclosed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is making renewed efforts to operationalise its standby force, although the initiative continues to face significant funding constraints.