By Paul Joseph
The United States has withdrawn the majority of its troops deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, marking the end of the operation while reaffirming its commitment to intelligence cooperation with Nigerian security agencies.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Dagvin R. M. Anderson during a virtual briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
Anderson said most American personnel involved in the mission have returned to the United States, but stressed that Washington will continue supporting Nigeria through intelligence sharing and other security partnerships at the request of the Nigerian government.
He noted that the Lake Chad Basin operation significantly disrupted the activities of the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh), weakening the group’s network not only in the region but also globally.
According to the US commander, the focus of cooperation has now shifted from deploying large numbers of troops to providing specialised intelligence and strategic support to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities.
Describing Nigeria as a reliable and professional security partner, Anderson said recent intelligence collaboration between both countries contributed to the operation that eliminated Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS with responsibility for the group’s global operations, media activities and recruitment.
He said the success demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations over prolonged foreign troop deployments.
Anderson also urged African countries to deepen intelligence sharing to tackle terrorism, drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
He pointed to the interception of a record 31-tonne cocaine shipment off the West African coast as evidence of the benefits of international cooperation, noting that the operation was made possible through intelligence coordination involving the United States, AFRICOM and partner nations before a Spanish vessel intercepted the shipment.
The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin.
The security partnership also included US airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State in December 2025 and culminated in a joint operation in May 2026 that killed senior ISIS commander Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki in Borno State.
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