U.S. withdraws troops from Nigeria, keeps intelligence aid

The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel from a joint counterterrorism mission in Nigeria's Lake Chad Basin, officials announced Thursday, July 2, 2026. The move marks the conclusion of a specific operation while maintaining ongoing intelligence and security cooperation with Nigerian forces.

General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, disclosed the withdrawal during a virtual briefing on the African Chiefs of Defence Conference. He stated that the mission requiring the deployment of U.S. troops had been completed, prompting the drawdown of most personnel. However, he emphasized that the United States would continue providing intelligence assistance at the request of the Nigerian government.

The U.S. deployed approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to assist with intelligence, surveillance, and counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State (ISIS) and other extremist groups in the region. This deployment followed the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, who pledged increased American support for counterterrorism efforts.