U.S. Raises Alarm Over Terror Shift to West Africa, Flags Nigeria, Lake Chad as Key Hotspots
The United States has warned that West Africa, including Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, has become a growing hotspot in its 2026 global counterterrorism outlook, as extremist networks reportedly reposition after losing strongholds in the Middle East.
According to a new U.S. security strategy document, terrorist organisations linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda have increasingly relocated their operations to parts of Africa and Central Asia, taking advantage of weak security presence and ungoverned territories.
The report identified West Africa, the Sahel region, the Lake Chad Basin, Somalia, Sudan and Mozambique as major zones where extremist activity has resurged in recent years.
It noted that after being driven out of Iraq and Syria, remnants of ISIS and affiliated groups have rebuilt operational cells in Africa, where they continue to exploit instability and local conflicts.
The document stressed that preventing these groups from establishing permanent bases capable of launching international attacks remains a top priority for Washington.
It further stated that the United States will continue working with African governments through intelligence sharing and counterterrorism partnerships, while gradually reducing its direct military footprint on the continent.
The strategy also emphasised a shift toward empowering regional forces, saying African countries must take greater responsibility in containing extremist threats within their borders.
On Nigeria specifically, the report referenced recent U.S. actions targeting extremist violence and reiterated concerns over attacks on vulnerable communities.
Despite the warnings, the U.S. described Africa as a region with significant long-term potential, provided governments strengthen territorial control and deny safe havens to armed groups.
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