NIGERIA: The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel from Nigeria following the completion of a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, according to U.S. officials.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Africa, announced the drawdown during a virtual press briefing following the African Chiefs of Defence Conference. General Anderson clarified that while the specific mission requiring American boots on the ground has concluded, the strategic security alliance between Washington and Abuja remains active, focusing primarily on intelligence sharing and counterterrorism cooperation against Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) networks.
The partnership, which included the deployment of approximately 200 U.S. military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026, achieved significant milestones during its operations. Most notably, a joint U.S.-Nigerian operation in May 2026 resulted in the elimination of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the global second-in-command of ISIS, during a targeted raid in Borno State. Al-Minuki was heavily involved in managing the terrorist organization's global recruitment, media, and operational logistics. The mission followed earlier U.S. airstrikes conducted in December 2025 against extremist camps in the Bauni Forest of Sokoto State.
General Anderson lauded the capability of the Nigerian military and emphasized that the collaboration serves as a model for future U.S. engagements, where Washington provides specialized capabilities to enhance the effectiveness of host nations.
Beyond counterterrorism, the briefing highlighted the broader impact of international intelligence sharing on cross-border crime. General Anderson noted that recent multinational coordination facilitated the largest maritime drug interdiction in history, leading to a Spanish vessel intercepting a 31-ton shipment of South American cocaine along the West African coastline.
Moving forward, U.S. military leadership urged deeper intelligence collaboration among African nations to combat terrorism and trafficking. U.S. officials emphasized that sustained regional security cooperation is essential not only for stability but also for fostering economic growth and attracting foreign investment across the continent.