The United States has withdrawn most of the troops deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, marking the end of a major military operation while reaffirming its commitment to intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Abuja.
The development was announced on Thursday by the Commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, during a virtual press briefing following the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
According to Anderson, although the specific military deployment has concluded and most US personnel have departed Nigeria, Washington will continue to support the country’s fight against terrorism through intelligence collaboration and other security partnerships at the request of the Nigerian government.
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“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.
He stressed that sustained cooperation among African nations, international partners and the private sector remains essential to defeating extremist groups, strengthening regional stability and creating an environment that encourages economic growth and investment.
The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence gathering, surveillance and counterterrorism operations targeting ISIS and other extremist groups operating across the Lake Chad Basin.
The deployment came as security ties between Washington and Abuja deepened amid growing concerns over terrorist activities in northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region. It also followed US President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, alongside a pledge to strengthen American support for counterterrorism efforts.
As part of that collaboration, US forces carried out precision airstrikes on two terrorist enclaves in the Bauni Forest of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State, on December 25, 2025.
The partnership reached a significant milestone in May 2026 when a joint US-Nigerian operation eliminated Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS, during a raid on his hideout in Borno State.
While the withdrawal signals the conclusion of the troop deployment, US officials insist that intelligence cooperation and strategic security assistance will continue, underscoring Washington’s long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
