The United States has withdrawn most of the military personnel it deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin, marking the completion of the mission while reaffirming continued security cooperation with Abuja.
The announcement was made by Commander of the US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, during a virtual press briefing following the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
Although the troop deployment has ended, Anderson said the United States would continue supporting Nigeria through intelligence sharing and other forms of security cooperation, particularly in efforts to combat the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).
He explained that the operation in the Lake Chad Basin had achieved its primary objective, leading to the withdrawal of most of the US personnel assigned to the mission.
“That operation in the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria not only helped the countries in that immediate region; it also helps countries globally because it disrupts the ISIS network,” Anderson said.
“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were there specifically for that operation, but we are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has requested to support intelligence sharing and provide the understanding necessary to prosecute these difficult tasks.”
Nigeria remains a strategic partner
Anderson described Nigeria as one of America’s most important security partners in Africa, citing its strong military, large population and growing economy as key strengths in the fight against terrorism.
He said years of cooperation between both countries had strengthened Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities, particularly through intelligence integration.
According to him, that collaboration culminated in a joint operation that eliminated the second-highest-ranking leader of ISIS, a figure responsible for the group’s global operations, media activities and recruitment network.
“Nigeria is a very capable and large country. It has a strong economy, a large, educated population and a very capable military,” he said.
“There are things we have learned over several years in the counterterrorism fight that we have been able to integrate with Nigeria to enhance intelligence sharing. That cooperation eventually enabled us to bring unique US capabilities that helped target and eliminate the number two leader within the ISIS or Daesh organisation.”
Anderson said the success of the mission demonstrated that targeted intelligence cooperation was more effective than prolonged foreign troop deployments.
“As we move forward, this is an example of how we want to engage with partners—bringing only those unique US capabilities that enable our partners to be more effective in these fights,” he added.
Call for stronger intelligence sharing
The US commander also urged African nations to deepen intelligence cooperation in tackling terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
He cited a recent multinational operation that intercepted a record 31-tonne shipment of cocaine originating from South America and transiting the West African coast, describing it as the largest maritime drug seizure on record.
According to Anderson, intelligence coordinated through the US interagency system and the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) enabled partner nations to track the vessel before it was intercepted by a Spanish naval ship.
“I was able to coordinate through our interagency in the United States, through AFRICOM, and then notify some of our partners. Eventually, it was a Spanish ship that interdicted the vessel carrying 31 tonnes of cocaine—the largest drug seizure at sea that we have ever seen,” he said.
He stressed that sustained collaboration among African governments, international allies and the private sector would be essential to addressing security threats while promoting economic growth and attracting investment across the continent.
Background
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 as both countries intensified efforts against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.
The deployment followed US President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and his administration’s pledge to strengthen American support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign.
On December 25, 2025, US forces conducted airstrikes on two terrorist camps in the Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The security partnership recorded a major breakthrough in May 2026 when a joint US-Nigerian operation killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, during a raid on his hideout in Borno State.
