JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
The United States has begun reducing its military footprint in Nigeria following the completion of a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, but said it would continue to cooperate with Nigerian authorities through intelligence exchanges and other security partnerships.
Commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin RM Anderson, announced the development on Thursday during a virtual press conference on the outcomes of the 2026 African Chiefs of Defense Conference. He explained that although the temporary deployment of American troops has largely ended, Washington remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s campaign against ISIS/Daesh.
According to Anderson, the recently completed operation had a significant impact not only on regional security but also on global efforts to weaken terrorist networks.
“Operations in the Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria, not only help countries in the region; they also help countries globally because they disrupt ISIS networks,” said Anderson.
He added that the withdrawal of American troops does not signal the end of bilateral security cooperation.
“So – and then we have withdrawn the majority of our forces that were just there for that operation, but have continued the partnership that Nigeria requested to help continue the intelligence sharing and understanding necessary to be able to carry out these difficult tasks,” he added.
Also Read: FG Hasn’t Decided on NYSC Uniform, Minister Clarifies His Statement
The US Air Force commander praised Nigeria’s military capacity and described the country as one of America’s strongest security partners in Africa. He noted that intelligence cooperation between the two countries has resulted in one of the most significant counterterrorism successes against ISIS in recent months.
According to Anderson, the collaboration combined Nigerian operational capabilities with dedicated US intelligence support, ultimately resulting in the elimination of the terrorist group’s second-in-command.
“I think the partnership that we’ve demonstrated recently with Nigeria, where Nigeria is a very capable and large country – it has a strong economy; it has a large and educated population; it has a very capable military.
“But there are things that we have learned in the counter-terrorism fight over the years that we can help and integrate with them to help them with their intelligence and help with intelligence sharing that ultimately leads to a cooperative effort where we can bring some of the unique capabilities that the US has and be able to bring to justice the number two leader in the ISIS or Daesh organization who is responsible for the majority of their global operations, global media and their recruitment,” he said.
He emphasized that future US engagement in Africa will increasingly focus on providing specialized capabilities that allow partner countries to lead security operations themselves, rather than relying on long-term deployments of foreign troops.
“So I think, as time goes on, this is an example of how we’re trying to engage our partners to help them be more effective by just using unique U.S. capabilities that enable our partners to be effective in this fight,” he said.
In addition to Nigeria, Anderson urged African countries to strengthen intelligence cooperation to tackle terrorism, organized crime and illicit trafficking across the continent.
He cited recent multinational operations that disrupted major drug trafficking networks, and said coordinated intelligence sharing was critical in intercepting what he described as the largest seizure of cocaine ever recorded at sea.
“I was able to coordinate through our interagency in the United States, through AFRICOM, and then notified several partners. And ultimately it was a Spanish ship that interdicted a ship that had 31 tons of cocaine on board, and it turned out to be the largest drug interdiction at sea that we’ve ever seen,” Anderson said.
He added that closer collaboration between African governments, international allies and private sector stakeholders will remain critical to improving security while creating conditions for greater economic growth and investment across the continent.
The United States deployed approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance, and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin. The deployment is part of expanded security cooperation between Washington and Abuja aimed at fighting ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.
The deployment follows the re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Special Concern by US President Donald Trump, who pledged to increase American support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
Previously, on December 25, 2025, US troops launched airstrikes on two terrorist strongholds located in Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
This joint security partnership recorded one of its greatest achievements in May 2026 when joint US and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, ISIS’s second-in-command, in an operation at his hideout in Borno State.
