National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre have warned that terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting social media, cryptocurrencies and emerging technologies to recruit members, conceal funds and coordinate attacks across West Africa and the Sahel.
The alert was raised in Abuja on Tuesday during a three-day regional training conference focused on detecting and disrupting terrorists’ use of information and communication technologies.
Acting Director of the AU Counter-Terrorism Centre, Idriss Lallali, said groups including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Boko Haram and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) were expanding their reach through digital tools.
“Across West Africa and the Sahel today, ISWAP, Boko Haram and JNIM are extending their reach through technology. They recruit on social media platforms, move and conceal funds via mobile money, gift cards and cryptocurrencies,” he said.
“They buy weapons on darknet marketplaces, communicate over satellite links beyond our networks, and fly drones across borders, using artificial intelligence to tailor propaganda and evade detection.”
Lallali noted that the speed and low cost of these tools allow small cells to reach wider audiences and act faster than security agencies can respond.
He stressed the need for specialised training, regional coordination and stronger collaboration with private-sector operators.
Representing Ribadu, National Counter Terrorism Centre Coordinator Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka said terrorist groups were using digital platforms for propaganda, radicalisation, fundraising and cross-border coordination.
He warned that artificial intelligence, drones and virtual assets were adding new layers of complexity to regional security challenges.
“Emerging technologies add further complexity: Artificial Intelligence can rapidly produce personalised content; drones and autonomous systems can expand operational capabilities; and virtual assets can create new financing channels. We must therefore strengthen our ability to anticipate, detect, analyse and disrupt threats before they materialise,” Laka said.
Ribadu emphasised that effective responses require technical expertise, stronger institutions and improved inter-agency cooperation, along with greater cross-border intelligence sharing.
He noted that Nigeria is working with the AU centre to secure accreditation for the National Counter Terrorism Centre as a regional centre of excellence.
The conference brought together participants from West Africa and the Sahel, as well as representatives of the African Union, ECOWAS, the Multinational Joint Task Force and international organisations.
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