The United Nations has warned that terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across the West African and Sahel region are becoming increasingly sophisticated, adopting technologies such as drones, encrypted communications 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 United Nations Security Council.
Presenting the Secretary-General’s report covering developments between November 29, 2025 and June 30, 2026, Simão said armed groups are expanding their operational capabilities while coordinating attacks across national borders.
According to him, terrorist organisations are increasingly exploiting advanced communication technologies, drones and digital financial tools, making the security threat more difficult to contain.
He noted that the activities of the groups are closely linked to transnational organised crime, with the aim of expanding territorial and economic control, weakening public confidence in government institutions and undermining social cohesion.
The briefing came as the Security Council reviewed the political, humanitarian and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, a region facing persistent terrorist violence, political instability and growing humanitarian challenges. It also followed the council’s decision to extend the mandate of UNOWAS until January 31, 2029.
Simão said Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to experience deadly terrorist attacks, kidnappings and heavy civilian casualties.
He disclosed that about 6.8 million people have been displaced across the region, while another 1.28 million are refugees or asylum seekers, warning that women, children and young people remain the most affected by the crisis.
He added that insecurity and funding shortages continue to restrict humanitarian access in many conflict-affected communities.
The UN official stressed that military operations alone would not defeat terrorism, urging governments and international partners to address the underlying causes of violent extremism through poverty reduction, improved governance, education, employment opportunities and humanitarian support.
Despite the worsening security situation, Simão pointed to encouraging signs of regional cooperation, including the reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger and continued progress by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice judgment on the two countries’ land and maritime boundary.
He also noted renewed efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to operationalise its standby force, although financial constraints continue to limit its effectiveness.
The UN warning comes weeks after the United States announced what it described as the largest seizure of terrorist equipment in Nigeria since the September 11, 2001 attacks. US Deputy Assistant and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, Dr Sebastian Gorka, said a joint operation with Nigerian security forces recovered a large cache of electronic devices and operational materials from jihadist groups and killed 199 militants during a single raid.
Security Council members broadly agreed that terrorist networks in West Africa and the Sahel are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly connected to organised crime and illicit trafficking.
Representatives from countries including the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Liberia, Pakistan and Burkina Faso stressed that security operations must be complemented by governance reforms, economic development, education, job creation and humanitarian assistance to tackle the root causes of instability.
Council members also expressed concern over the growing role of drug trafficking, production and consumption in fuelling insecurity across the region, particularly in coastal West African countries, warning that young people remain the most vulnerable to its effects.