UN Warns of Terrorists Using Drones and Crypto in Nigeria

The United Nations (UN) has issued a warning regarding the growing sophistication of terrorist groups in northern Nigeria and the broader West Africa and Sahel region. Leonardo Simão, 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), informed the UN Security Council that these groups are now employing advanced technologies such as drones, sophisticated communication tools, and cryptocurrencies.

This evolution in tactics complicates efforts to track and combat these organizations. Simão's briefing, which included the Secretary-General’s report covering developments from November 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026, highlighted the persistent terrorist activities in Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso, resulting in significant civilian casualties and displacements.

Approximately 6.8 million people have been displaced, with an additional 1.28 million becoming refugees or asylum seekers. The humanitarian crisis disproportionately affects women, children, and young people, while regional cooperation efforts continue despite the deteriorating security situation.