Security experts and civil society groups have reacted to the US Troop Withdrawal from the Lake Chad Basin. They urged the Federal Government to improve Nigeria’s security system instead of depending on foreign soldiers. Some experts said the move would not affect the fight against terrorism, while others called for stronger intelligence and better funding for the military.
The discussion started after the Commander of the US Air Forces in Africa, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, announced that the United States had withdrawn most of the extra troops sent for a special mission against Islamic State-linked terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin. He said the operation ended successfully after disrupting terrorist activities in the region.
Anderson also described Nigeria as one of America’s key security partners in Africa. He praised the Nigerian military and said both countries would continue to work together through intelligence sharing and security cooperation.
The US Troop Withdrawal raised concerns that America might reduce its security support for Nigeria. However, the Defence Headquarters explained that only troops assigned to the Lake Chad Basin mission had left. It added that US personnel involved in training, intelligence sharing and other security programmes are still in Nigeria.
Security analyst Kabir Adamu said the withdrawal matches the counter-terrorism policy of US President Donald Trump. He explained that the strategy encourages partner countries like Nigeria to take greater responsibility for their own security while the US continues to provide intelligence and operational support.
Adamu said Nigeria likely planned for the troop withdrawal before agreeing to the mission. He added that both countries had already agreed to continue intelligence sharing and joint efforts against terrorist groups.
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa, advised Nigerians not to panic. He said Nigeria must take the lead in fighting insurgency and banditry because no foreign country can solve the nation’s security problems.
Musa noted that international support has helped Nigeria with training, surveillance, logistics and intelligence. However, he said lasting peace depends on strong institutions, good governance, justice and economic opportunities for citizens.
He warned that the troop withdrawal could cause short-term challenges, especially in areas that depend on foreign intelligence and advanced surveillance technology. He called on the Federal Government to invest more in defence institutions and ensure transparency in security spending.
Musa also urged the government to address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, corruption, weak border control, illegal weapons and poor intelligence coordination.
Former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Anthony Sani, said he hoped security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States would have achieved greater success against terrorism. He appealed to the US to continue sharing intelligence and providing equipment to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorists.
For many years, the United States has supported Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province through intelligence sharing, training, surveillance and logistics. Although the US has only a small military presence in Nigeria, it sometimes sends extra troops for special operations, such as the recently completed Lake Chad Basin mission.
