The United States has withdrawn most of the troops it deployed to Nigeria for a recent joint operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants and is continuing to support Nigerian forces through intelligence sharing at Abuja’s request
The development was announced by Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, after a meeting of African defence chiefs in Luanda, Angola, where he said the temporary deployment had largely concluded following the successful mission.
The joint operation, carried out in May by US and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin, killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom US officials identified as ISIS’s global deputy leader. The mission followed a separate US strike on Christmas Day, ordered by President Donald Trump, targeting militants accused of attacking Christian communities in Nigeria.
General Anderson described the May operation as a model for future security cooperation in Africa, saying it demonstrated Washington’s approach of providing specialised military capabilities while allowing African partners to lead operations on the ground.
He said that although most US troops deployed for the mission have since left Nigeria, the partnership remains active through intelligence sharing requested by Nigerian authorities.
According to Anderson, the operation dealt a significant blow to ISIS’s leadership, disrupting the group’s command structure in West Africa and affecting its broader international communications and operational network.
He added that Nigerian security forces have continued to pursue militant targets since the May offensive, sustaining pressure on extremist groups without a continued US military deployment.
Anderson also said the success of the operation, combined with efforts to publicise the mission, has encouraged more ISIS fighters in northeastern Nigeria to defect and surrender.
The AFRICOM commander made the remarks during a US State Department briefing following a three-day conference in Luanda, Angola, attended by military leaders from 35 African countries, alongside representatives from the United States and Brazil.
Boluwatife Enome
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