The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) thwarted a planned terrorist attack on July 15, 2025, involving minors, a rare tactic historically linked to groups like Boko Haram, which used child suicide bombers in Nigeria, with UNICEF reporting over 100 cases in 2017 alone.

Historical data from the UNODC indicates children recruited by terrorist groups are often exploited due to psychological malleability, with roles ranging from suicide missions to informants, suggesting a strategic vulnerability in societies prioritizing child protection.

The PST’s silence on attack details aligns with a 2025 trend of increased radicalization among boys aged 12-13 in Norway, as reported by Dagbladet, challenging the narrative of declining terrorism in Europe and highlighting a shift toward younger recruits.

janus