The United Nations (UN) has expressed fresh concern over the growing sophistication of terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across the West African and Sahel regions, warning that they are increasingly deploying drones, advanced communication technologies and cryptocurrencies to strengthen their operations and evade security forces.

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 UN Security Council.

Presenting the Secretary-General's latest report on developments in the region, covering the period from November 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026, Simão said terrorist organisations have become increasingly sophisticated, making them more difficult for security agencies to combat.

The briefing came as the Security Council reviewed the political, security and humanitarian situation across West Africa and the Sahel following its decision to extend UNOWAS' mandate until January 31, 2029.

According to Simão, armed groups are rapidly embracing modern technology to improve coordination, expand their operational reach across borders and sustain their activities.

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

The UN envoy noted that terrorist organisations are also strengthening ties with transnational organised crime networks, allowing them to consolidate territorial control, expand their financial resources and weaken public confidence in government institutions.

"The problem is acute, especially in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria," Simão said.

He added that the activities of these groups are undermining state authority and threatening social cohesion across affected communities.

"Their actions intersect with transnational organised crime and are aimed at consolidating territorial and economic control, eroding public confidence in state authority, with serious damage to social cohesion," he stated.

Simão disclosed that Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to experience relentless terrorist attacks, kidnappings and significant civilian casualties, reflecting the deteriorating security situation across the region.

He revealed that approximately 6.8 million people have been displaced across the region, while another 1.28 million people have been forced to flee as refugees or asylum seekers, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.

The UN official also expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation, noting that women, children and young people continue to bear the brunt of the violence as insecurity and dwindling funding restrict humanitarian access to vulnerable communities.

Despite the challenges, Simão acknowledged ongoing regional efforts to strengthen cooperation and promote stability. He cited the reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger as a positive step toward rebuilding cross-border collaboration.

He also commended the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission for the progress made in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on the two countries' land and maritime boundary.

"These are some examples of regional efforts towards dialogue," he said.

While recognising ongoing military operations against terrorist groups, Simão stressed that force alone would not eliminate the threat of terrorism.

He urged governments across the region to address the root causes of violent extremism by tackling poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic challenges that fuel insecurity.

"Fighting poverty and vulnerability must therefore remain a common objective in the broader fight against terrorism. Regional actors are working hard to find solutions," he said.

Simão further disclosed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has renewed efforts to operationalise its regional standby force. However, he warned that persistent funding constraints continue to undermine the bloc's capacity to respond effectively to the region's escalating security challenges.

The UN's latest warning highlights the evolving tactics of terrorist groups in West Africa, where the growing use of emerging technologies and illicit financial channels is posing fresh security challenges for governments already battling insurgency and cross-border crime.