From Premium Times Nigeria · Yakubu Mohammed · · 3m
African security chiefs strategise to tackle terrorist digital exploitation
African security leaders plan coordinated response to terrorist groups using social media and AI for recruitment and attacks.
In brief
African security leaders plan coordinated response to terrorist groups using social media and AI for recruitment and attacks. African security chiefs are developing regional strategies to counter terrorist groups' use of social media and digital technologies for recruitment and attacks across the Sahel and West…
African security chiefs meet
African security leaders gathered for a three-day regional conference to address terrorist groups' growing use of digital technologies and social media platforms.
“African security chiefs are worried about the increasing use of digital technologies and social media platforms by terrorist groups that hold sway over ungoverned territories across the sahel and west africa region”
Terror groups expand digitally
Terrorist groups like ISWAP, Boko Haram and JNIM are extending their reach through technology, recruiting online and moving funds via mobile money and cryptocurrencies.
“Across west africa and the sahel today, iswap, boko haram and jnim are extending their reach through technology”
Terror groups deploy new tech
JNIM has conducted drone attacks in the Sahel since its first ai-enabled aerial assault in bandiagara, mali in 2023, while ISSP deployed a drone for the first time in niamey airport attack this year.
“Jnim has conducted several drone attacks in the sahel since its first ai-enabled aerial assault on military positions in bandiagara, mali, in 2023”
Terror groups use dark web
Terror groups purchase weapons on darknet marketplaces, fly drones, communicate over satellite links, and use ai to tailor propaganda and evade detection.
“The regional defence chief alleged that these terror groups purchase weapons on darknet marketplaces, fly drones, communicate over satellite links, and use ai to tailor propaganda and evade detection”
Terror groups move fast
A terror cell with a modest budget can now reach audiences far beyond its physical presence and move faster than security agencies can respond.
“What makes this difficult is speed and cost. A [terror] cell with a modest budget can now reach audiences far beyond its physical presence and move faster than our procedures can respond”
AU counter-terrorism chief warns
AU Counter-Terrorism Centre director Idriss Lalalli warned that terrorist groups are expanding their digital footprints and recruiting on social media platforms, moving funds via mobile money and cryptocurrencies.
“Idriss Lalalli, the acting director of the AU Counter-Terrorism Centre, acknowledged the expanding digital footprints of islamic state and al-qaeda affiliates in the region”
Nigeria's security chief responds
Nigeria's National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu noted that emerging technologies further complicate africa's security landscape and urged stronger collaboration with private sector operators.
“Nigeria's national security adviser, nuhu ribadu, noted that emerging technologies further complicate africa's security landscape”
Terror financing channels
Terror groups use ai to create content, drones and autonomous systems to expand operational capabilities and create new terror financing channels.
“ai-created content, drones and autonomous systems can expand operational capabilities, noting that these assets can pave the way for new terror financing channels”
Regional security coordination
![Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika [PHOTO CREDIT: aviation.gov.ng/]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2023/01/Hadi-Sirika.png?w=1024&ssl=1)
Security leaders called for specialised training in cyber threat intelligence, open-source intelligence, digital forensics and blockchain analysis to track online recruitment networks.
“Conference expectations: the conference would train participants in cyber threat intelligence, open-source intelligence, digital forensics and blockchain analysis to help them track online recruitment networks”
Cross-border intelligence sharing
Security leaders urged west african and sahelian countries to strengthen cross-border intelligence cooperation and share actionable cyber threat information promptly.
“He also urged west african and sahelian countries to strengthen cross-border intelligence cooperation and share actionable cyber threat information promptly”
Nigeria's counter-terrorism initiative
Nigeria is working with the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre to secure accreditation for the National Counter Terrorism Centre as a regional centre of excellence for counterterrorism in west africa and the sahel.
“The nigerian national security adviser said nigeria was working with the african union counter-terrorism centre to secure accreditation for the nctc as a regional centre of excellence for counterterrorism in west africa and the sahel”
Terrorist groups' digital tactics
Terror groups use social media platforms for recruitment, mobile money and cryptocurrencies for fund movement, and ai to tailor propaganda and evade detection.
“They recruit on social media platforms, move and conceal funds via mobile money, gift cards and cryptocurrencies”
What happens next
African security leaders will train regional teams in cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics to disrupt terrorist groups' online recruitment networks and financial operations.
“You will leave here not just carrying home a certificate, but a responsibility. The centre will stand behind you. But the multiplier is you”
Here's the gist
African security chiefs are developing regional strategies to counter terrorist groups' use of social media and digital technologies for recruitment and attacks across the Sahel and West Africa.
