The United States has withdrawn the bulk of its troops from Nigeria following the completion of a counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin region, officials confirmed on Friday.
Around 200 American personnel were deployed in February to support Nigerian forces with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and training against groups such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said the mission achieved its objectives.
“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing,” he stated during a briefing.
Anderson highlighted the operation’s broader impact, noting it disrupted ISIS networks globally and showcased effective bilateral cooperation. “Nigeria’s a very capable and large country… it’s got a very capable military,” he added, praising ongoing intelligence collaboration.
The partnership between Washington and Abuja remains active despite the troop drawdown.
