The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
The Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, disclosed the development during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026. He said although the mission requiring the deployment of American troops had been completed, Washington would continue supporting Nigeria through intelligence cooperation at the request of the Federal Government.
According to Anderson, the operation in the Lake Chad Basin significantly disrupted the activities of the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) and strengthened regional and global security efforts.
“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,” he said.
He explained that while most U.S. personnel assigned to the mission had returned home, the security partnership with Nigeria remains active.
“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the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 added.
The U.S. Air Force commander described Nigeria as one of America’s most important security partners in Africa, citing the country’s capable military, strong economy and strategic role in regional counterterrorism efforts.
He said intelligence collaboration between both countries contributed to the successful elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-highest-ranking leader in the global ISIS network, during a joint operation in Borno State earlier this year.
According to Anderson, the operation demonstrated the value of intelligence cooperation over prolonged foreign military deployments.
“Nigeria is a very capable and large country. It has a strong economy, a large, educated population and a very capable military. There are things we have learned over several years in the counterterrorism fight that we were able to integrate with them through intelligence sharing,” he said.
He added that the United States contributed specialized capabilities that complemented Nigerian forces and helped target one of ISIS’ most senior global leaders, who was responsible for the group’s international operations, propaganda and recruitment.
“As we go forward, that is an example of how we’re looking at engaging with partners to help them be more effective by only bringing unique U.S. capabilities that allow the partner to be effective in these fights,” he said.
Anderson also urged African countries to strengthen intelligence sharing and cross-border cooperation to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
He cited a recent multinational operation that intercepted a record 31-ton shipment of cocaine originating from South America and transiting through the West African coast, describing it as the largest maritime drug seizure ever recorded.
“I was able to coordinate through our interagency in the United States, through AFRICOM, and then notify some of the partners. Eventually, it was a Spanish ship that interdicted the vessel carrying 31 tons of cocaine, the largest drug seizure at sea that we’ve ever seen,” he said.
The commander stressed that sustained collaboration among African governments, international allies and the private sector would be essential to improving security, encouraging investment and promoting long-term economic growth across the continent.
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 U.S. President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and his administration’s commitment to expanding counterterrorism cooperation with Abuja.
On December 25, 2025, U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on two terrorist camps in the Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
