The United States has withdrawn most of its military personnel from Nigeria following the successful completion of a joint counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the development during a virtual briefing on the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026, stating that although the troop deployment has ended, intelligence-sharing with Nigeria against ISIS and other extremist groups will continue.

About 200 US military personnel were deployed 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 US President Donald Trump and Washington’s renewed commitment to supporting Nigeria’s anti-terrorism efforts.

The partnership recorded notable successes, including US airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State in December 2025 and the May 2026 joint operation that eliminated ISIS deputy leader Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki during a raid in Borno State.