US troops leave Nigeria after Feb 2026 Lake Chad ISWAP mission AFRICOM says intelligence sharing with Abuja continues.
The United States has pulled out most of the American troops it sent to Nigeria earlier this year. The move follows a joint counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin, the top US commander in Africa has confirmed.
About 200 personnel were deployed in February 2026. Their brief was clear: provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, and deliver specialised training to Nigerian forces fighting ISWAP and other terror groups around Lake Chad. The deployment was part of plans Washington had been weighing to deepen security cooperation.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, announced the withdrawal during a virtual press briefing after the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.
"We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the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," Anderson told journalists.
He said the Lake Chad operation did more than help Nigeria and its neighbours. It disrupted the wider ISIS network, with effects felt globally. Anderson explained that while the specific military operation has ended, Washington remains committed to supporting Nigeria through intelligence collaboration at Abuja's request.
The US general was careful to stress Nigeria's own strength. During his visit to Abuja on February 9, 2026, he met National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and reaffirmed America's commitment to enabling Nigerian-led solutions through intelligence-sharing and technical advice.
That partnership, Anderson noted, produced a major result weeks ago. With unique US capabilities integrated into Nigerian intelligence, both countries were able to "prosecute together the number two leader within the ISIS or Daesh organization who is responsible for much of their global operations, their global media, and their recruiting".
He repeated the point in his briefing, saying the joint effort took out the ISIS number two leader and showed what cooperation can achieve.
Anderson stressed that the success proves a point. Intelligence cooperation works better than keeping foreign boots on the ground for long periods.
For Abuja, the message is continuity, not disengagement. The US says it will keep sharing intelligence, advising, and providing niche capabilities, while Nigerian troops lead the fight on the ground. The Defence Headquarters had earlier insisted no foreign combat forces are stationed permanently in the country, underscoring the advisory nature of the February deployment.
Security analysts watching the North-East will see this as a shift in style. Instead of a large presence, Washington is offering what Anderson calls "unique capabilities" that plug into Nigeria's own operations.
The February deployment came after increased US-Nigeria engagements, including airstrikes on militant targets in late 2025 and high-level talks in Rome and Abuja. President Bola Tinubu received Anderson's delegation at Aso Rock on February 9, signalling political backing for the cooperation.
With most American personnel now home, the focus returns to intelligence rooms in Abuja and Lake Chad command posts. The US-Nigeria security partnership, both sides insist, stays active just quieter, and led by Nigerians.
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