The United States has withdrawn most of its troops deployed to Nigeria for counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin following the successful elimination of a top leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), while pledging to sustain intelligence and security cooperation with the Nigerian government.
The Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Dagvin R. M. Anderson, disclosed this during a digital press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
According to Anderson, the withdrawal followed the completion of the specific military mission for which about 200 U.S. personnel were deployed to Nigeria earlier this year.
He, however, stressed that Washington would continue to support Nigeria through intelligence sharing and specialised security assistance at the request of the Federal Government.
“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,” Anderson said.
“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but we are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the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.”
The U.S. general said the intelligence partnership between both countries culminated in a successful joint operation that eliminated the second-in-command of the global ISIS network.
According to him, the operation demonstrated how intelligence collaboration and the deployment of specialised American capabilities could strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism without the need for prolonged foreign military presence.
He described Nigeria as a capable partner with a strong military and noted that both countries had effectively combined their strengths to achieve a significant breakthrough.
“The partnership that we’ve shown recently with Nigeria… helped with the intelligence sharing that eventually led to a cooperative effort 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,” Anderson stated.
The joint operation resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the deputy leader of ISIS, during a raid on his hideout in Borno State in May 2026.
Anderson said the operation reflected the future direction of U.S. military engagement in Africa, with greater emphasis on intelligence support rather than sustained troop deployments.
He explained that the United States would continue to provide unique capabilities that enable partner nations to conduct their own counterterrorism operations more effectively.
“I think 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.
The American commander also urged African countries to deepen intelligence sharing in tackling terrorism, organised crime and illicit trafficking across the continent.
He cited the recent interception of a record 31-tonne cocaine shipment originating from South America and passing through the West African coast as an example of what coordinated international intelligence could achieve.
According to Anderson, information shared through the United States interagency system, the United States Africa Command and African partners enabled a Spanish vessel to intercept the shipment.
“It turns out to be the largest interdiction of drugs on the sea that we’ve ever seen,” he said.
The United States deployed approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin amid growing security cooperation between both countries.
The deployment followed the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by Donald Trump, who pledged stronger U.S. support for Nigeria’s campaign against terrorist groups.
Before the deployment, U.S. forces had conducted air strikes on terrorist enclaves in the Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State on December 25, 2025.
With the latest withdrawal, both countries are expected to continue their partnership through intelligence cooperation, surveillance support and specialised military collaboration as Nigeria sustains its offensive against ISIS and other terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider North-East.
