By Ghazali Ibrahim
The United States has withdrawn the bulk of its troops deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, disclosed this during a virtual briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
He said the deployment, which lasted about six months, had achieved its core objective of supporting operations against ISIS-linked groups in the region.
“So 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He explained that while most of the deployed personnel had been withdrawn, Washington would continue working with Abuja through intelligence support and targeted cooperation where requested.
“…We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the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,” he added.
Anderson described Nigeria as a key regional security partner with a capable military, noting that joint intelligence efforts had contributed to significant operational successes against extremist networks, including ISIS.
He said intelligence collaboration between both countries helped enable a coordinated operation that eliminated a high-ranking ISIS figure responsible for global operations and recruitment.
The U.S. commander also highlighted broader multinational intelligence efforts, citing a recent operation that led to the interception of 31 tons of cocaine at sea — the largest maritime drug seizure recorded.
According to him, sustained intelligence sharing among African states and international partners would remain critical in tackling terrorism, drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
The U.S. had deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin, amid growing regional insecurity involving ISIS-affiliated groups.
The deployment followed the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. administration and renewed commitments to counterterrorism cooperation.
In December 2025, U.S. forces also conducted airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State’s Bauni Forest, while a joint U.S.-Nigerian operation in May 2026 reportedly killed a senior ISIS commander in Borno State.
Despite the troop withdrawal, both countries say security collaboration will continue through intelligence-led operations.
