Timbuktu Institute – Week 2 – February 2026

In the current conflicts in the Sahel and northern Nigeria, the use of drones has become a central element of the fighting. This technology, once reserved for regular armies, is now integrated into the combat strategies of terrorist groups, who use it to surveil, attack or sow fear. This development marks a transformation of terrorism in the region, where the military capabilities of insurgents are rapidly modernising. The widespread use of drones makes operations more complex, increases the risks for security forces and further exposes civilian populations.

The United States strengthens its strategic position in Nigeria

Nigeria is playing an increasingly important role in the United States' security strategy in West Africa. Washington has strengthened its cooperation with Abuja through limited military support, mainly focused on training, intelligence and strategic support in the face of jihadist threats such as Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa. This American presence is also part of a broader geopolitical competition, in which powers are seeking to consolidate their influence in a region marked by the decline of certain traditional actors and the rise of other international partners.

US pressure on Abuja over religious violence

In the United States, elected officials are seeking to hold the Nigerian government more accountable for the ongoing violence affecting certain religious communities. A bill aims to strengthen diplomatic control and consider targeted sanctions against officials deemed inactive or complicit. This initiative highlights growing concerns about the protection of minorities and respect for religious freedoms. Nigeria, for its part, disputes the idea of systematic persecution and insists that the current insecurity is primarily linked to complex armed and community conflicts.