Terrorist teams are more and more utilizing synthetic intelligence (AI), cryptocurrencies, drones and social media to recruit fighters, finance operations and evade security companies throughout Nigeria and the broader West African area, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has warned.
Ribadu, represented by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, raised the alarm yesterday in Abuja at a three-day regional coaching convention on detecting and disrupting terrorists’ exploitation of data and communication applied sciences.
He mentioned terrorist teams have been exploiting digital platforms to unfold propaganda, radicalise potential recruits, increase funds and coordinate assaults throughout nationwide borders.
According to him, the rising use of synthetic intelligence, drones and digital belongings has launched new challenges for security companies, making it essential to enhance their capability to establish and disrupt threats earlier than assaults happen.
“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,” he mentioned.
The NSA mentioned tackling the menace required greater than buying subtle gear, stressing the necessity for technical experience, stronger establishments and nearer cooperation amongst security companies.
He additionally referred to as for improved cross-border intelligence sharing and the well timed alternate of actionable cyber menace info amongst nations in West Africa and the Sahel.
“Nigeria recognises that no institution, country or sector can defeat terrorism alone,” Ribadu mentioned.
He disclosed that Nigeria was working with the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre to safe accreditation for the National Counter Terrorism Centre as a regional centre of excellence for counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
He mentioned the initiative adopted President Bola Tinubu’s declaration on the High-Level Africa Counterterrorism Summit in April 2024.
Also talking, Acting Director of the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre, Idriss Lalalli, mentioned terrorist organisations, together with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Boko Haram and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), have been increasing their operations by digital applied sciences.
“Across West Africa and the Sahel in the present day, ISWAP, Boko Haram and JNIM are extending their attain by know-how. They recruit on social media platforms, transfer and conceal funds by way of cell cash, reward playing cards and cryptocurrencies.
“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,” he mentioned.
Lalalli warned that the velocity and comparatively low value of digital instruments allowed terrorist cells to attain wider audiences and transfer quicker than security companies might reply.
“What makes this difficult is speed and cost. A cell with a modest budget can now reach audiences far beyond its physical presence and move faster than our procedures can respond. The capability to counter it remains thinly and unevenly distributed across our member states,” he mentioned.
He, nonetheless, mentioned the capability hole may very well be addressed by specialised coaching, regional coordination and stronger collaboration with private-sector operators.
Lalalli mentioned the programme would equip individuals with expertise in cyber menace intelligence, open-source intelligence, digital forensics and blockchain evaluation to assist them monitor on-line recruitment networks, protect digital proof and hint cryptocurrency transactions.
He confused that the completely different areas of coaching should work collectively to strengthen investigations and prosecutions.
The AU official additionally referred to as for stronger partnerships with social media firms, telecommunications operators and monetary service suppliers, noting that a lot of the infrastructure exploited by terrorists was privately owned.
Addressing individuals, he mentioned: “You leave as this continent’s first cohort of trainers in this domain. You will leave here not just carrying home a certificate, but a responsibility. The Centre will stand behind you. But the multiplier is you.”
The three-day convention introduced collectively individuals from West Africa and the Sahel, alongside representatives of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the Multinational Joint Task Force, regional intelligence constructions and worldwide organisations.
