US Pulls Troops Out of Nigeria Amid Worsening Insecurity

The United States has withdrawn the majority of its troops deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin, marking the end of a mission launched earlier this year to support the country’s fight against terrorist groups.

The Commander of the US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the withdrawal while briefing journalists on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.

The US had deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February to provide intelligence, surveillance and operational support for counterterrorism efforts targeting ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the Lake Chad region.

The deployment came as security cooperation between Washington and Abuja deepened amid escalating attacks by terrorist groups and renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the briefing, Anderson said the operation had achieved its objectives and that most of the American personnel had returned to the United States.

“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.

“And so we have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the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 and the understanding that’s necessary to be able to prosecute these difficult tasks,” he said.

The troop deployment followed the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by US President Donald Trump, whose administration pledged greater support for Nigeria’s campaign against terrorism.

The security partnership also saw the US conduct airstrikes on two terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on December 25, 2025.

Joint intelligence operations by both countries later culminated in the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the global ISIS network, during an operation in Borno State.

Anderson described Nigeria as a capable ally with a professional military, saying the intelligence cooperation between both countries had produced significant gains in the fight against terrorism.

According to him, US intelligence capabilities complemented Nigerian military operations and played a key role in tracking and eliminating one of ISIS’s most senior global leaders.

“I think the partnership that we’ve shown recently with Nigeria… is an example of how we’re looking at engaging with partners to help them be more effective by only bringing unique US capabilities that allow the partner to be effective in these fights,” he said.

The US general also called for stronger intelligence sharing among African countries to tackle terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

He cited a recent multinational operation that led to the interception of a record 31-ton shipment of cocaine originating from South America and transiting the West African coast.

According to Anderson, information shared through the US interagency system, AFRICOM and partner nations enabled Spanish authorities to intercept the vessel carrying what he described as the largest drug seizure ever recorded at sea.

He stressed that sustained collaboration among African governments, international allies and the private sector would remain essential to addressing security challenges and fostering economic growth across the continent.