AI, Cryptocurrencies making terrorism harder to tackle – Ribadu

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that terrorists are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrencies and other emerging technologies to evade security agencies and sustain their operations across West Africa and the Sahel.

Ribadu said terrorist groups were using social media and digital platforms to recruit members, spread propaganda, raise funds and coordinate attacks across national borders, creating fresh challenges for counterterrorism efforts.

The NSA made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during a three-day regional training conference involving security officials and other stakeholders from West Africa and the Sahel.

He was represented at the event by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka.

According to Ribadu, the growing use of artificial intelligence, drones and virtual assets by terrorist organisations requires security agencies to strengthen their capacity to identify and respond to emerging threats.

“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 said.

Ribadu emphasised the need to develop technical expertise, strengthen security institutions and improve collaboration among relevant agencies to address the evolving threat.

He also called for increased cross-border intelligence sharing and the timely exchange of cyber threat information among countries in West Africa and the Sahel.

The NSA stressed that tackling terrorism required coordinated action among governments, security institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

“Nigeria recognises that no institution, country or sector can defeat terrorism alone,” he said.

The three-day conference brought together participants from West Africa and the Sahel, as well as representatives of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Multinational Joint Task Force, regional intelligence structures and international organisations.

The meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation and improving the capacity of security agencies to respond to emerging threats, including those enabled by digital technologies.

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