The African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, have warned that terrorist organisations are increasingly exploiting digital platforms. They use these platforms to recruit members, raise funds and spread propaganda. This reflects ongoing concerns about Terrorist social media recruitment.
According to The PUNCH, the warning was issued on Tuesday at a three-day regional training conference in Abuja that focused partly on Terrorist social media recruitment challenges in West Africa.
The programme focuses on detecting and disrupting the use of information and communication technologies by terrorist organisations. Notably, Terrorist social media recruitment was a key topic.
The Acting Director of the AU Counter-Terrorism Centre, Idriss Lalalli, identified Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province and other extremist groups. These organisations are expanding their activities through digital channels.
AU warns about online terrorist recruitment
Lalalli explained that extremist groups were taking advantage of social media and financial technologies. They use these tools to extend their influence beyond physical territories, making Terrorist social media recruitment easier than ever.
“They recruit on social media platforms, move and conceal funds via mobile money, gift cards and cryptocurrencies,” he said.
The AU official warned that the speed and affordability of digital technologies had made it easier for terrorist organisations to reach wider audiences.
He called for greater investment in cybersecurity capabilities and improved coordination among African governments.
The training programme will cover digital investigations, online intelligence gathering and methods for identifying suspicious financial activity.
Ribadu demands regional security cooperation
Ribadu, represented by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major-General Adamu Laka, stressed the need for stronger international cooperation.
He warned that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies were creating additional challenges for security agencies.
The National Security Adviser urged governments to strengthen intelligence-sharing arrangements and improve the technical capacity of security personnel.
He also called for closer collaboration with telecommunications companies, digital platforms and financial institutions.
The conference brought together security representatives from West Africa and the Sahel.
Organisers maintained that combating technology-enabled terrorism would require coordinated action across national borders.
