Intelligence cooperation with Nigeria to continue, says AFRICOM
By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The United States has withdrawn the majority of its forces deployed to Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin following the end of a joint counterterrorism operation targeting the Islamic State, ISIS/Daesh, a senior U.S. military commander has confirmed.
Speaking during a digital press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026 on Thursday, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said the specific operation had concluded and most personnel involved had left the country.
“And so we have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the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,” Anderson said.
Operation led to killing of ISIS #2Gen. Anderson credited the U.S.-Nigeria partnership for a successful strike against the second-in-command of the ISIS global network, who he said oversaw the group’s international operations, media and recruitment.
“I think the partnership that we’ve shown recently with Nigeria… eventually led To a cooperative effort where we were able to bring some unique capabilities that the U.S. brings and be able to prosecute together the number two leader within the ISIS or Daesh organization,” he stated.
He described Nigeria as a “very capable” partner with a strong military, large economy, and educated population. Shift from troops to intelligenceThe General said the outcome demonstrates Washington’s new approach in Africa: limited deployments focused on enabling local forces, rather than long-term troop presence.
“So I think as we go forward, that is an example of how we’re looking at engaging with partners to help them be more effective by only bringing unique U.S. capabilities that allow the partner to be effective in these fights,” he added.
February 2026 DeploymentThe U.S. deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance, and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin. The deployment followed Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Despite the troop drawdown, Anderson said intelligence sharing will remain, citing another recent success: the interception of a record 31-ton cocaine shipment off West Africa after U.S. coordination with AFRICOM and regional partners.
“I think as we go forward, sustained cooperation among African countries, international partners and the private sector will remain critical to addressing security threats while promoting economic stability and investment across the continent,” he said.
Nigerian military authorities are yet to issue a formal statement on the withdrawal.
