May 12, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel
The United States government has identified Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin as major hotspots in its 2026 counterterrorism strategy, warning that displaced ISIS fighters from Iraq and Syria are now driving renewed terrorist activities across West Africa and the Sahel region.
According to a newly released US strategy document, extremist groups forced out of the Middle East have increasingly shifted operations to Africa and parts of Central Asia, taking advantage of weak security systems and ungoverned territories.
The report listed West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, Mozambique, Sudan, and Somalia among regions facing growing terrorist threats linked to the activities of and affiliated jihadist groups.
The document stated that remnants of ISIS relocated to Africa after suffering major defeats in Iraq and Syria during military operations under former US President .
“Today, there are parts of Africa where a resurgent terror threat is the reality,” the report stated, adding that extremist groups have re-established networks in several African regions.
The US government said its renewed strategy would focus on preventing terrorist organisations from creating operational bases capable of threatening American interests and destabilising African nations.
Washington also pledged continued collaboration with African governments through intelligence sharing, military support, and counterterrorism partnership development to combat groups linked to ISIS and .
The report further highlighted concerns over the activities of in Somalia and extremist networks operating around the Lake Chad Basin, which includes parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
In a controversial section of the document, the US administration accused former President of weakening counterterrorism operations, claiming previous policies allowed extremist groups to regroup across Africa.
Referencing Nigeria, the report commended actions allegedly taken by President Trump in response to attacks targeting Christians in the country.
The strategy also revealed that the United States would maintain what it described as a “light military footprint” across Africa while encouraging regional governments to take greater responsibility for coordinated counterterrorism efforts.
According to the report, African nations possess enormous economic and developmental potential if authorities are able to regain territorial control and prevent terrorists from establishing safe havens.
The latest warning comes amid growing insecurity concerns in Nigeria and other West African nations battling insurgency, banditry, and cross-border terrorist activities.
