Imagery Intelligence in Contemporary Counterterrorism: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and Somalia
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Date
2026
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LASU JOURNAL OF PEACE & SECURITY STUDIES
Abstract
The study examines the use of imagery intelligence (IMINT) in counterterrorism operations against Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al‑Shabaab in Somalia. Despite years of sustained military campaigns, both insurgent groups have remained resilient, continuing to operate in difficult terrains as well as exploiting intelligence gaps within state security structures. While modern militaries increasingly possess advanced surveillance technologies, the practical role and effectiveness of imagery-based intelligence in counterterrorism operations in Africa remain insufficiently examined. It is against this backdrop that the study investigates how IMINT contributes counterterrorism strategies in both Nigeria and Somalia. Situating IMINT within the broader framework of Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), the paper adopts a qualitative and descriptive approach based on a review of relevant scholarly literature and documented operational experiences from Nigeria and Somalia. The analysis suggests that IMINT has enhanced the ability of security forces to identify militant camps, track movements, and support military operations against insurgent groups.
However, its effectiveness depends largely on enhancing institutional capacity, inter-agency coordination, and its integration with other intelligence fields. The paper concludes that while IMINT alone cannot defeat insurgent movements, it remains an increasingly valuable component of contemporary counterterrorism strategy when integrated within a broader intelligence architecture.