The warning was delivered during a briefing to the UN Security Council by Leonardo Santos 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).
Presenting the Secretary-General's latest report covering developments from November 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026, Simão warned that armed groups are increasingly using emerging technologies to coordinate cross-border attacks and expand their influence.
"Armed groups are increasingly using drones, sophisticated communications and cryptocurrencies while coordinating operations across borders," Simão told the 15-member Council.
Terrorist Threat Expanding to Coastal States
Simão stressed that the threat posed by terrorist and other non-state armed groups "remains acute, especially in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria," while rapidly expanding to the coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that these groups are "adapting their tactics" and maintaining increasing links with "transnational organised crime" with the aim of consolidating their territorial and economic control and "eroding people's trust in the authority of the state".
The problem is particularly acute in Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which continue to suffer persistent terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and heavy civilian casualties. In Mali, coordinated attacks by Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Front de Libération de l'Azawad targeted the cities of Bamako, Kati, Kidal, Gao, and Mopti, causing civilian and military casualties, including the death of the Defence Minister. In Niger, attacks have targeted Niamey airport and a military base in Tahoua, while Burkina Faso's northern and eastern regions continue to suffer assaults, sometimes conducted using drones.
The Human Cost of Violence
The human cost of the violence is devastating. Approximately 6.8 million people have been displaced across West Africa and the Sahel, while an additional 1.28 million have become refugees or asylum seekers. According to Simão, "women, children and young people continue to bear the brunt of insecurity, rights violations and limited access to essential services".
Humanitarian access remains severely constrained by insecurity and funding shortages, leaving relief efforts significantly hampered. Attacks on schools, illustrate the heavy toll insecurity takes on the future of entire communities.
Drug Trafficking Fuelling Instability
Another concerning development is the rapid rise of drug trafficking, production, and consumption, particularly in coastal states where authorities are making increasing seizures. Simão warned that youth are the principal victims, with reports indicating that terrorist combatants are also using drugs. More alarmingly, cartels are exerting growing influence on some public institutions, contributing to their weakening.
This phenomenon illustrates the growing entanglement between terrorism, organised crime and parallel economies, blurring the lines between insurgency, trafficking, and governance .
Largest Counterterrorism Operation in Nigeria
The UN briefing came just weeks after the United States disclosed what it described as the largest seizure of terrorist equipment in Nigeria since the September 11, 2001 attacks. According to Dr. Sebastian Gorka, US Deputy Assistant and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, a joint counterterrorism operation with Nigerian forces led to the recovery of a vast cache of electronic devices and other operational materials from jihadist groups. The operation was so extensive that an additional aircraft was required to transport the confiscated equipment for forensic analysis. The raid also resulted in the killing of 199 jihadists.
Signs of Renewed Regional Cooperation
Despite the deteriorating security environment, Simão highlighted signs of improving regional cooperation. He cited the reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger as a practical outcome of renewed diplomatic engagement. He also referenced progress by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission in implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice judgment on the countries' land and maritime boundary.
"These are some examples of regional efforts towards dialogue," Simão said. According to him, regional actors are working hard to find solutions and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has renewed efforts to operationalise its standby force, although the initiative continues to face significant funding constraints.
Military Action Alone Not Enough
The UN special representative stressed that military operations alone would not be sufficient to defeat terrorism, urging governments and the international community to tackle the underlying drivers of violent extremism .
"Fighting poverty and vulnerability must therefore remain a common objective in the broader fight against terrorism," Simão said.
Council members broadly agreed that increasingly sophisticated terrorist networks, linked to organised crime and drug trafficking, threaten regional stability . Several delegations, including those from the US, China, Russia, UK, France, Liberia, Pakistan, and Burkina Faso, argued that security responses must be complemented by investments in governance, education, employment, humanitarian assistance, and economic development to address the root causes of instability .
The Security Council recently extended UNOWAS's mandate until January 31, 2029, reflecting continued international support for preventive diplomacy in the region.
With additional reporting from UN News, Arise News, and Leadership Newspapers.
