The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel from Nigeria following the completion of a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin. The withdrawal was announced on July 2, 2026, by US Air Forces in Africa commander General Dagvin R.M. Anderson. Intelligence sharing and security cooperation between the two countries will continue.
General Anderson made the announcement during a virtual press briefing on the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026. He stated that the specific mission requiring the troop deployment had ended.
The United States had sent about 200 personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism efforts. Anderson said the partnership helped eliminate Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-highest-ranking ISIS leader, in a May 2026 raid in Borno State.
Anderson noted that Nigeria remains a key partner. The US will keep providing requested intelligence assistance to target ISIS networks. He highlighted gains from the cooperation while stressing the value of intelligence sharing over large troop deployments.
