Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has issued a warning about the growing sophistication of terrorist groups, which are increasingly leveraging new technologies and exploiting political and economic grievances to further their operations.
In response to these emerging threats, Nigerian authorities have initiated a review of the country’s national anti-terrorism strategy, first introduced in 2014 and last revised in 2016. This updated strategy aims to ensure counterterrorism measures remain effective in the face of evolving tactics and capabilities used by non-State actors.
The updated strategy comes as terrorist groups in Nigeria, including Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have become more adept at using encrypted communication tools, social media for recruitment, and even drones to conduct operations. Authorities have also highlighted the role of poverty, political instability, and weak law enforcement in remote areas as key factors in the radicalisation and recruitment of new fighters. Major General Adamu Garba Laka, the national coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre, acknowledged that, although the number of terrorism-related deaths has decreased in recent years, the overall threat remains high, especially due to Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges.
The security review follows the emergence of a new terrorist group, Lakurawa, in the northwest, and the continued violence from established groups. Experts such as security analyst Chidi Omeje stress that the increasing sophistication of these terror organisations is to be expected, given their evolving links with global terror networks. The Nigerian government is also under pressure to investigate the financing of these groups, with analysts like Ebenezer Oyetakin arguing that uncovering the financial networks behind the terrorist organisations is crucial for effectively combating the threat. While the Nigerian government continues to revise its strategy, its focus remains on bolstering the country’s resilience and ensuring better coordination among agencies involved in counterterrorism efforts.