Security experts and civil society stakeholders have expressed divergent views over the withdrawal of United States troops deployed for a counter-terrorism operation in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin, with many urging the Federal Government to strengthen the country’s security architecture rather than rely on foreign military assistance.
While some dismissed fears that the troop drawdown could weaken Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign, others warned that the country’s fragile security environment requires sustained intelligence cooperation and greater investment in defence institutions to prevent security gaps.
The debate followed the disclosure by the Commander of the US Air Forces in Africa, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, that the United States had withdrawn most of the additional troops deployed for a special operation against Islamic State-linked terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin after completing the mission.
Speaking during a virtual briefing after the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026, Anderson said the operation had succeeded in disrupting terrorist networks operating across the region.
The US military chief described Nigeria as one of Washington’s most important security partners in Africa, praising the country’s military capabilities and expanding intelligence collaboration.
