The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reported a more than 200 per cent increase in the number of Islamic State (ISIS) members defecting in Nigeria since a joint military operation by Nigerian and American forces in May 2026.
AFRICOM Commander, Dagvin Anderson, attributed the development to the impact of the operation, which targeted a senior ISIS leader, as well as subsequent military offensives by Nigerian security forces.
Anderson disclosed this on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, according to a report by THISDAY, as published by TheCable.
He said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-sharing and cooperation between the Nigerian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and their American counterparts.
According to him, the partnership helped the two countries track and eliminate Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command globally, during the May operation in northeastern Nigeria.
“The partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigerian intelligence was exceptional, and that’s what really enabled that partnership to happen and to take out the number two terrorist in the world for ISIS,” Anderson said.
He explained that Nigeria contributed its knowledge of local conditions and regional terrorist networks, while the United States provided intelligence on the organisation’s global structure and operations.
“Some of it is intelligence, but also understanding of the terrorist network globally. And so Nigeria brings the regional and local understanding, while we bring the global network understanding, and together that becomes very powerful,” he added.
The AFRICOM commander said the rise in defections, alongside a reported decline in attacks and violence, indicated progress in efforts to weaken terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
He also commended Nigeria’s programme for reintegrating former insurgents into society, stressing that efforts to address insecurity must include measures to provide young people with constructive alternatives.
“How do you take the growing youth population and channel that energy for a positive effort? And to me, that’s what we all need to work on, but it has to be done locally,” Anderson said.
Despite the reported gains, he cautioned that military operations alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, which include terrorism and kidnapping.
He stressed the need for improved governance and development alongside sustained security operations to address the underlying factors contributing to insecurity.
The US commander also confirmed that Washington would continue supporting Nigerian security agencies through intelligence-sharing, specialised capabilities and training.
In June, AFRICOM announced the withdrawal of most of its troops deployed for the May operation, while reaffirming its commitment to providing intelligence support to Nigeria.
Beyond Nigeria’s domestic security challenges, Anderson identified terrorist financing, piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal fishing as major threats requiring greater regional and international cooperation.
He also addressed the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying the United States was seeking to reopen dialogue with the three countries to strengthen security cooperation.
The reported increase in ISIS defections comes amid continuing efforts by Nigerian authorities and international partners to disrupt terrorist networks, reduce attacks and encourage former fighters to abandon armed groups.