The United Nations has said terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across West Africa and the Sahel are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using drones, advanced communications technology and cryptocurrencies to strengthen their operations.
The warning came during a briefing to the United Nations Security Council by 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), Leonardo Simão, who presented the Secretary-General’s latest report on developments in the region covering the period from November 29, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Simão said the groups are increasingly linked to organised crime and continue to fuel violence, displacement and humanitarian crises across the region. At least 6.8 million people have been displaced.
Council members agreed that military action alone would not defeat extremism, calling for greater regional cooperation and increased investment in governance, education, jobs and humanitarian assistance to address the root causes of insecurity.
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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a spending bill containing a provision to cut aid to Nigeria for allegations of targeted violence against Christians and other vulnerable communities. The bill calls for withholding all foreign assistance to the West African nation until the U.S. government can certify that Abuja is taking “measurable actions … to protect Christian communities suffering from religious
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The U.S. government has reportedly lent its backing to Nigeria’s efforts to establish a system for prosecuting terrorism-related offenses. During a visit to the West African nation by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their long-standing strategic partnership.
The Nigerian government
ISWAP’s use of tech could prolong Lake Chad Basin violence