The Federal Government has raised alarm over the growing use of new technologies by terrorist groups to expand operations across Africa.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the warning in Abuja at the Consultative Forum on Strengthening the Functional Performance of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture.
In a statement issued by the Ministry on Friday, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said armed groups are increasingly deploying commercially available technologies like drones and sophisticated digital platforms, while funding their activities through transnational organised crime, kidnapping for ransom, and illicit financial flows.
“Armed groups were increasingly using new technologies in their operations and using proceeds of transnational organised crime to finance their activities,” she said.
She said terrorism is growing on the continent and groups are showing greater resilience against conventional military operations.
The minister called for a stronger, better funded and self-reliant African peace and security architecture, with improved intelligence sharing, early warning systems and support for African led mediation.
She also urged attention to local grievances, youth unemployment and community resilience as drivers of insecurity.
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