Concerns for Nigeria, others as ISWAP set to use drones, advanced tech in Lake Chad Basin – Newstrends
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Concerns for Nigeria, others as ISWAP set to use drones, advanced tech in Lake Chad Basin

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2 years ago

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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor

Concerns for Nigeria, others as ISWAP set to use drones, advanced tech in Lake Chad Basin

 

Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) could be close to using delivery drones for attacks in the Lake Chad Basin. Weaponising and adapting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a new trend in the group’s operational strategy, and could worsen the conflict.

Institute for Security Studies (ISS) research shows that ISWAP is already trialling delivery drones to carry improvised explosive devices. This includes assessing the weight that can be carried, how far they can go and how long they stay in the air. The threat goes beyond military targets and may impact humanitarian service delivery.

Ongoing operations by Nigeria’s military and clashes with Boko Haram faction, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), have inflicted heavy losses on ISWAP and significantly reduced its space to operate. And successful intelligence-driven strikes resulting in arrests of ISWAP members outside the North-east are preventing the group from expanding. These setbacks may be forcing ISWAP to adapt its strategy, as it has done before.

So far, ISWAP’s use of drones has been limited to propaganda, surveillance and communication. ISS research, including analysis of publicly available propaganda materials and interviews with former combatants and associates, reveals an elaborate use of communication technology (see Chart 1). This includes satellite and android phones, drones, social media (Telegram and WhatsApp), high-speed printers, laptops, high-definition digital cameras, Wi-Fi, clip-on microphones, walkie-talkies, and data compression and archiving software.

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All these tools are used by the media team headed by Abba Yusuf (Abu Rumaisa), son of late Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf. The team’s primary function is to showcase ISWAP as a successful jihadist group. That propaganda will encourage recruitment and present a positive image that cements its position as the top Islamic State affiliate globally. The media department also handles relations with other violent extremist groups, including Islamic State.

Former ISWAP members, including from the media unit, told ISS how the department functions. Staff are recruited from within the group and taught the basics of operating the equipment, mostly cameras. They accompany fighters and wait at a distance to be invited to take photos and videos, usually when things go ISWAP’s way.

The raw footage and pictures are sent to Islamic State, which produces the propaganda material. The group shares the content with ISWAP’s media team, which distributes it through a private and members-only Telegram account, Nashir News Agency (see Chart 2).

ISWAP relies heavily on high-speed satellite internet to communicate with Islamic State and other groups. Sources told ISS that ISWAP used Thuraya Wi-Fi and spent about $6,000 monthly on data. They said Lagos was the main supply source but that ISWAP encountered a problem with the supply, forcing it to switch to Chad. Although Thuraya satellite phones and internet services are illegal in Chad, they are used in secret.

A particular Thuraya model stands out as a possible device used by ISWAP. It is available in Nigeria but mainly in Lagos. The Thuraya XT-Hotspot is marketed as the ‘world’s fastest Wi-Fi via satellite for communication needs beyond GSM coverage … for quick and secure Internet connectivity in the remotest of locations.’

The sources claim ISWAP has dedicated vehicles fitted with internet services to facilitate communication and data sharing on the go. The media team uses one of these vehicles when it accompanies fighters, enabling them to immediately share material from the battlefield. This explains how ISWAP can release information quickly, including images and videos, sometimes within hours of attacks.

ISWAP’s public communication also suggests it can easily share data with Islamic State using data compression and archiving software. In addition to speed and encryption, the software reduces bandwidth costs.

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There is no single way to deal with the problem of ISWAP’s use of technology. The solution lies in various measures working together.

ISS research has detailed how ISWAP exploited Lake Chad Basin trade routes to get vital supplies. The group’s remote location should be an advantage for security forces who could disrupt its supply lines. Checkpoint searches have proved successful and can be used again. Those bringing in equipment and accessories should explain their destinations, which security agents should verify. Collaboration among security forces in the four affected Lake Chad Basin countries can help.

The ISS report also showed how civilian and military collaborators helped ISWAP get supplies. Security force leaders in the region must hold their personnel to the highest standards and use an independent ombudsman to deter corruption. To prevent civilians from collaborating with terror groups, authorities should work with communities and trade unions to identify and disrupt networks helping ISWAP. The criminal justice system can also play a deterrent role.

A future concern is that violent extremist groups like ISWAP become involved in cybercrime. Given Nigeria’s enormous financial powers and growing tech industry, authorities should prepare for this. Investing in technology and collaborating with tech companies to prevent their products, platforms or services from falling into ISWAP’s hands is a start.

Going after ISWAP’s money is vital. The group should be forced out of its current location using targeted and joint military operations. This would cut ISWAP’s access to its major revenue base. In using these tactics, care should be taken to avoid adversely affecting civilians, either by destroying their livelihoods or inflicting human rights violations.

Curtailing ISWAP’s access to technology will prevent it from using tech to plan and execute attacks, spread propaganda and recruit. That will reduce the damage the group inflicts on civilians and aid workers in the Lake Chad Basin.

Concerns for Nigeria, others as ISWAP set to use drones, advanced tech in Lake Chad Basin

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Just in: Senate Committee wants Senator Natasha suspended for six months, apologise to Akpabio

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13 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Just in: Senate Committee wants Senator Natasha suspended for six months, apologise to Akpabio

The Senate Committee on Ethics has recommended that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan be suspended for six months over controversy around her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The committee on Thursday also advised that the Kogi Central senator should apologise to the Senate for disrespecting the institution.

It recommended the withdrawal of her salary and security details during the suspension period.

Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had through her constituents led by Zubairu Yakubu submitted another sexual harassment petition against Akpabio during plenary.

Akpabio directed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate at 12:38pm.

The petition was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a mandate to report back within four weeks.

This move follows a similar petition Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the previous day, which sparked controversy.

Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40, arguing that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife.

He also contended that the petition should not be considered since Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.

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Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun

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14 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has begun an investigation into an explosion at Quantum Steel, located along the Sagamu-Ikorodu Road in Ogijo, which left seven workers, including three expatriates, severely injured.

The explosion, which occurred on Wednesday, was reported at the Ogijo Police Division by a staff member of the company, Joseph Adewale.

Those injured include four Nigerians—Daniel Bala, 28; Mutiu Olajide, 39; Godwin Solomon, 27; and Maduabuchi Onwe, 27—as well as three expatriates, Ajun Kumar, 37; Chandan Kumar, 50; and Rakash Kumar, 30.
Omolola Odutola, the state police public relations officer, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, saying the explosion was caused by machinery failure.

The statement read, “According to the report, on March 2, 2025, at about 6:30 pm, a blast from one of the factory’s machines resulted in severe injuries to seven individuals, including both Nigerian and expatriate workers.

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“All the injured victims were rushed to Rolayo Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding well.”

Odutola stated that investigators went to the location, made an initial examination, and documented evidence, including photographs. She also stated that a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the explosion and ensure compliance with industrial safety standards.

The police department also asked businesses and sectors to emphasize worker safety to avoid similar incidents.

 

Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun

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Soldiers invade Ikeja Electric offices in Lagos, attack workers 

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17 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Soldiers invade Ikeja Electric offices in Lagos, attack workers 

 

Some military personnel on Thursday morning stormed the head office of an electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric and other offices in Lagos and assaulted its workers.

Newstrends learnt the personnel in uniform forced their way into the Ikeja Electric office on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos and Alausa, Ikeja.

Videos were shared online showing the military personnel wielding arms, destroying offices, locking up some workers, which crippled operations in the company.

Some seven staff members were seen kneeling while the military personnel assaulted others.

A similar occurrence reportedly took place at the Ikeja Electric head office in Ikeja.

The assault on Thursday instilled fear among the company workers including senior staff members, with many hiding for safety.

Some said they had decided to stay away as those who resumed early for work on Thursday could not be reached on the phones.

There are fears that many of them were attacked, wounded and hospitalised.

There were reports earlier that Ikeja Electric disconnected the power supply to the Nigerian Air Force logistics base in Ikeja.

There has been growing tension between Ikeja Electric and the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, over the disconnection of power supply, which many fear may escalate.

The Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, has been without power for two weeks following its disconnection by Ikeja Electric over an unpaid debt running into millions of naira.

An agreement was reportedly struck for the Nigerian Air Force to pay a monthly sum of N60 million to ensure a daily electricity supply of 10 to 12 hours to the base.

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