The United States has withdrawn the bulk of its personnel deployed for a joint counterterrorism mission in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin, but says security cooperation will continue through intelligence sharing.

U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa Commander, Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, disclosed this during a virtual press briefing on the 2026 African Chiefs of Defence Conference. 

Anderson said the specific Lake Chad operation had concluded and most U.S. forces assigned to it had exited. However, Washington will maintain intelligence collaboration at Abuja’s request.

“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,” he stated.

“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but we are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing,” Anderson added.

The General described Nigeria as a “very capable” military partner with a strong economy and population. He said U.S. intelligence support, paired with Nigerian military action, led to the killing of the ISIS global network’s second-in-command.

“…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 organisation who is responsible for much of their global operations, their global media, and their recruiting,” Anderson said.

He identified the May 2026 operation in Borno State that killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki as an example of how targeted intelligence cooperation can succeed without prolonged foreign troop presence.

Anderson also called for more intelligence sharing among African states to tackle terrorism, trafficking, and other transnational crimes. He cited a recent case where coordinated communication led to the seizure of 31 tonnes of cocaine off West Africa by a Spanish vessel — described as the largest maritime drug interception on record.

“Sustained cooperation among African countries, international partners and the private sector will remain critical to addressing security threats while promoting economic stability and investment,” he said.

About 200 U.S. military personnel were sent to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism work in the Lake Chad area. The move followed Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern by U.S. President Donald Trump. 

U.S. forces also carried out airstrikes on two terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza LGA, Sokoto State, on Dec. 25, 2025, ahead of the May 2026 joint operation that eliminated Al-Minuki.

Source: Punch News.