The United States has withdrawn most of the military personnel it deployed to Nigeria earlier this year for a joint counterterrorism mission, even as the country continues to grapple with persistent insecurity across several regions.
The disclosure was made by the Commander of the US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, during a briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
According to Anderson, the deployment to Nigeria's Lake Chad Basin was a mission-specific operation that has now been concluded, prompting the withdrawal of most of the American troops.
"We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but we are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with intelligence sharing and the understanding that's necessary to prosecute these difficult tasks," he said.
The United States deployed about 200 troops to Nigeria in February to strengthen intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the Lake Chad region.
The deployment came amid intensified security cooperation between Abuja and Washington following the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by US President Donald Trump, who pledged increased American support in the fight against terrorism.
During the period of the deployment, the US military carried out airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Bauni Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State on December 25, 2025, while joint intelligence operations with Nigerian security agencies also led to the elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of the global ISIS network, in Borno State.
Anderson said the operation demonstrated the value of intelligence cooperation between both countries, noting that US support was focused on providing specialised capabilities rather than replacing Nigerian forces.
He described Nigeria as a strategic partner with a capable military, adding that the collaboration had significantly disrupted ISIS operations in the region.
According to him, intelligence sharing and technical support from the United States enabled Nigerian forces to successfully target one of the terrorist group's most senior global leaders, who was reportedly responsible for its international operations, media activities and recruitment.
The US commander stressed that although most American troops have now left Nigeria, security cooperation between both countries would continue through intelligence sharing and other forms of strategic support.
He also urged African countries to deepen collaboration in intelligence gathering to combat terrorism, organised crime and illicit trafficking across the continent.
As an example of the benefits of such cooperation, Anderson disclosed that intelligence shared through the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), international partners and allied agencies recently led to the interception of a vessel carrying 31 tonnes of cocaine off the West African coast.
He described the operation, which was carried out by Spanish authorities, as the largest maritime drug seizure ever recorded.
The US general maintained that stronger partnerships among African nations, international allies and the private sector remain crucial to confronting evolving security threats and creating an environment conducive to economic growth and investment.
Leave a Reply