Technology: A Double-Edged Sword?

Giant strides have been made in technological advancements over the years. The areas of science, medicine, transportation, and the military have all seen technology transform operations to maximise efficiency and impact. From the angle of military operations on land, sea and air have been revolutionised, especially in the Global North, with the advent of artificial intelligence and drone technology to detect, disrupt and defeat threats.

While applause can be given to these accomplishments and the progress of technology, new threats have been birthed that warrant prompt attention. So far, communication technologies have revolutionised the modus operandi of terrorists and armed groups. This is such that terrorist activities have deployed drones, social media and other high-definition equipment in its operations. The most glaring is the use of social media to recruit, spread propaganda, communicate and coordinate activities. Research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) reveals that efforts by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are underway to explore further the distance, weight and delivery potential of drones to carry out attacks.

While advancements in military wares have been recorded, its use by non-state armed groups, especially terrorist organisations is worrisome. The arguably unhinged arms proliferation in Nigeria, and the broader Lake Chad Basin (LCB) casts doubt on the monopolisation of advanced military wares by the Nigerian government and its LCB counterparts. Terrorists are progressively exploiting financial services offered by new and developing technologies, especially in reaction to enhanced surveillance and restrictions in the financial sector, as technology evolves rapidly. The scope and kind of abuses vary greatly depending on the geographical and economic circumstances and the objectives set by terrorists in terms of finance sources and techniques.

Against this backdrop, there is a need to envision ways to limit terrorists’ access to advanced technology and finance. With violent armed groups’ rapid adoption of technology, security forces need heightened intelligence regarding the technology available to terrorist groups to adopt countermeasures adequately. A special unit is also necessary to track and identify trends in the usage of financial technologies and fundraising avenues adopted by terrorist groups. The federal government should intensify efforts towards the pursuit of diplomatic or covert tactics to obstruct the recruitment of qualified technology personnel by terrorist organisations.

Recommended Reading:

–  Insurgent Financing

– Terrorism Financing and CBN’s Cash Limitation Policy in Nigeria

– Funding Terror

– Silence the Guns