UN warns terrorists in Nigeria using drones, crypto

The United Nations (UN) has raised concerns that terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria, as well as other parts of West Africa and the Sahel, are making increasing use of drones, advanced communication tools and cryptocurrencies to strengthen their activities.

The warning was delivered to the UN Security Council by Leonardo Simão, the special representative of the secretary-general for West Africa and the Sahel and head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

During the briefing, Simão presented the secretary-general’s latest report on the region, covering developments recorded between November 29, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

The Security Council meeting focused on the political, humanitarian and security situation across West Africa and the Sahel.

The session also came after the council approved the extension of UNOWAS’s mandate until January 31, 2029.

Simão said terrorist groups in the region are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to combat.

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

He said their operations are now closely linked with transnational organised crime, with efforts focused on expanding territorial and economic influence while undermining public trust in government institutions.

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

“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 Simão, Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to record terrorist attacks, kidnappings and heavy civilian casualties.

He added that the crisis has displaced about 6.8 million people across the region, while another 1.28 million people are living as refugees or asylum seekers.

Simão said women, children and young people remain the most affected by the humanitarian crisis, noting that insecurity and inadequate funding continue to restrict access for aid workers.

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

He also referenced progress by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the two countries’ land and maritime boundary.

Simão stressed that military action alone cannot end terrorism and urged governments to tackle the socio-economic conditions that fuel violent extremism.

He further said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is making fresh efforts to operationalise its standby force, although limited funding remains a major challenge.