The United Nations (UN) has raised fresh concerns over the growing sophistication of terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across the Sahel, warning that they are increasingly deploying drones, advanced communications technology and cryptocurrencies to strengthen their operations and undermine state authority.
The warning was delivered to the UN Security Council 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 on the security, political and humanitarian situation in the region.
Speaking while presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report covering developments between November 29, 2025, and June 30, 2026, Simão said terrorist groups had become increasingly sophisticated, making them more difficult for governments to contain. “Armed groups are increasingly using drones, sophisticated communications and cryptocurrencies while coordinating operations across borders.”
Simão explained that the activities of the armed groups now extend beyond violence, with terrorism becoming deeply intertwined with transnational organised crime as the groups seek to expand their influence across the region. “The problem is acute, especially in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria.”
“Their actions intersect with transnational organised crime, and are aimed at consolidating territorial and economic control, erosion of public confidence in state authority, with serious damage to social cohesion.”
According to him, Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to bear the brunt of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and heavy civilian casualties as insecurity persists across the region.
He disclosed that the worsening security situation has displaced about 6.8 million people, while an additional 1.28 million people have become refugees or asylum seekers across West Africa and the Sahel.
Simão said women, children and young people continue to suffer the greatest humanitarian consequences of the conflict, noting that insecurity and inadequate funding have severely constrained humanitarian access to affected communities.
Despite the deteriorating security environment, he highlighted signs of renewed regional cooperation aimed at addressing shared challenges.
Among the developments, he cited the reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger, as well as progress by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on the countries’ land and maritime boundary. “These are some examples of regional efforts towards dialogue.”
Simão stressed that military operations alone would not be sufficient to defeat terrorism, urging governments across the region to tackle the 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 further informed the Security Council that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had renewed efforts to operationalise its regional standby force but warned that the initiative continues to face significant funding constraints.
The briefing came as the Security Council reviewed the political, security and humanitarian situation in West Africa and the Sahel, following its decision to extend UNOWAS’s mandate until January 31, 2029.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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