US Withdraws Troops From Nigeria After Lake Chad Counterterrorism Mission

The United States has withdrawn most of its military personnel from Nigeria after completing a joint counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin, while reaffirming its commitment to intelligence sharing and security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the withdrawal during a virtual briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026. He said the mission achieved its objectives and that the partnership with Nigeria remains strong.

According to Anderson, the United States will continue supporting Nigeria through intelligence sharing to help combat the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) and other terrorist groups.

“The operation in the Lake Chad Basin not only benefited countries in the region but also disrupted the global ISIS network,” Anderson said. “We have withdrawn much of our forces deployed for that mission, but we will continue providing the intelligence support Nigeria requested.”

He praised Nigeria’s military capabilities and described the country as a key security partner in Africa. Anderson said intelligence cooperation between both countries played a critical role in a joint operation that killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-highest-ranking ISIS leader responsible for the group’s global operations, media and recruitment.

The US commander said the success demonstrated the value of intelligence cooperation over long-term foreign troop deployments. He added that Washington would continue providing specialised capabilities to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

Anderson also urged African countries to deepen intelligence sharing to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes. He cited a recent multinational operation that intercepted a record 31-ton cocaine shipment off the West African coast as evidence of the benefits of international cooperation.

The United States deployed about 200 troops to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin. The deployment followed increased security cooperation between both countries, and in May 2026, a joint US-Nigerian operation eliminated Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki during a raid in Borno State.