The United Nations (UN) has raised fresh concerns over the increasing sophistication of terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across the Sahel, warning that extremists are now deploying drones, encrypted communications technology and cryptocurrencies to expand their operations, finance attacks and weaken state authority.
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 on the security, political and humanitarian situation in the region.
Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report covering developments between November 29, 2025, and June 30, 2026, Simão said terrorist organizations have become increasingly sophisticated, making it more difficult for governments and security agencies to contain their activities.
Armed groups are increasingly using drones, sophisticated communications and cryptocurrencies while coordinating operations across borders, Simão told the Security Council.
According to the UN envoy, terrorism in West Africa has evolved beyond violent attacks and is now deeply intertwined with transnational organised crime, allowing extremist groups to strengthen their territorial control and financial networks.
He noted that the situation is particularly severe in northern Nigeria and the central Sahel, where terrorist groups continue to expand their influence. The problem is acute, especially in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria.
Their actions intersect with transnational organized crime and are aimed at consolidating territorial and economic control, eroding public confidence in state authority and causing serious damage to social cohesion, Simão said.
The UN official identified Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso as the countries bearing the heaviest burden of terrorism, with communities facing persistent attacks, kidnappings and heavy civilian casualties.
He disclosed that the deteriorating security situation has forced approximately 6.8 million people from their homes, while an additional 1.28 million people have fled as refugees or asylum seekers across West Africa and the Sahel.
Simão added that women, children and young people remain the most vulnerable victims of the humanitarian crisis, while insecurity and inadequate funding continue to limit humanitarian access to affected communities.
Despite the worsening security landscape, Simão pointed to encouraging signs of renewed regional cooperation among neighbouring countries.
He cited the reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger and ongoing progress by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the two countries’ land and maritime boundaries.These are some examples of regional efforts towards dialogue, he noted
The UN representative stressed that military operations alone cannot eliminate terrorism, urging governments across West Africa to address the underlying socio-economic conditions that fuel violent extremism.
He called for greater investment in poverty reduction, job creation, education and community development as part of a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy.
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.
Simão also informed the Security Council that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has renewed efforts to operationalize its regional standby force to tackle terrorism and cross-border insecurity.
However, he warned that the initiative continues to face serious financial constraints, limiting its ability to respond effectively to the region’s growing security challenges.
The briefing came as the UN Security Council reviewed political, security and humanitarian developments in West Africa and the Sahel following its decision to extend the mandate of UNOWAS until January 31, 2029.
The latest warning underscores growing international concern that terrorist organisations are rapidly adapting to emerging technologies, making coordinated regional cooperation and sustained investment in security, governance and socio-economic development increasingly critical to restoring stability across Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.
