US Withdraws Troops From Nigeria
The United States has withdrawn most of the military personnel deployed to Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin for a joint counterterrorism operation, while maintaining intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with the Nigerian government.
The Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, disclosed this during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
According to Anderson, although the specific military operation has concluded and most of the deployed personnel have returned home, the United States remains committed to supporting Nigeria through intelligence collaboration at the request of the Federal Government.
He said the operation in the Lake Chad Basin contributed not only to regional security but also to global efforts to disrupt the activities of the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).
“And so that operation in the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria not only helped the countries in that immediate region; it also helps countries globally as that disrupts the ISIS network.
“Then, we have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but we are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing and the understanding that’s necessary to be able to prosecute these difficult tasks,” Anderson said.
The U.S. commander described Nigeria as a strong and capable partner with a well-equipped military, noting that intelligence cooperation between both countries had produced significant results in the fight against terrorism.
He said intelligence support from the United States, combined with Nigerian military operations, contributed to the successful elimination of the second-in-command of the global ISIS network.
“I think the partnership that we’ve shown recently with Nigeria, where Nigeria’s a very capable and large country — it’s got a strong economy; it’s got a large, educated population; it’s got a very capable military.
“But there are things that we have learned in the counterterrorist fight over several years that we were able to assist and integrate with them to help them with their intelligence and help with the intelligence sharing that eventually led to a cooperative effort to where we were able to bring some unique capabilities that the U.S. brings and be able to prosecute together the number two leader within the ISIS or Daesh organisation who is responsible for much of their global operations, their global media, and their recruiting,” he said.
Anderson said the operation demonstrated that effective intelligence cooperation can deliver significant results without the need for prolonged foreign military deployments.
He added that the U.S. would continue supporting partner nations by providing specialised capabilities that enhance their ability to tackle security challenges.
The military chief also called for greater intelligence sharing among African countries to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
He revealed that recent cooperation among the United States, AFRICOM and international partners led to the interception of a record 31-tonne cocaine shipment originating from South America and travelling through the West African coast.
“I was able to coordinate through our interagency in the United States, through AFRICOM, and then notify some of the partners.
“And eventually it was a Spanish ship that interdicted the ship that had 31 tonnes of cocaine on it, and it turns out to be the largest interdiction of drugs on the sea that we’ve ever seen,” Anderson said.
He stressed that sustained collaboration between African nations, international allies and the private sector remains essential for addressing security threats while creating an environment that supports economic growth and investment.
The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin.
The deployment followed increased security cooperation between Washington and Abuja in the fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups operating in the region.
It also came after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and pledged stronger American support for counterterrorism operations.
On December 25, 2025, U.S. forces carried out air strikes on two terrorist hideouts in the Bauni Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The security partnership reached a major milestone in May 2026 when a joint U.S.-Nigeria operation killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, at his hideout in Borno State.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
