The United States is set to withdraw about 200 American troops deployed to Nigeria as part of efforts to combat Islamist militants, with the pullout expected to be completed by late September.
The planned withdrawal was reported by The New York Times, which said the move would not mark the end of the US security partnership with Nigeria.
According to the report, smaller teams of American military trainers and intelligence personnel will remain in the country to support Nigerian-led counter-terrorism operations.
The larger US contingent was deployed in early 2026 amid growing security concerns and was involved in intelligence-led operations with Nigerian forces against extremist targets in the North-East.
US and Nigerian forces also conducted an operation in the Lake Chad Basin that resulted in the death of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, whom US officials identified as a senior Islamic State figure and the group’s second-in-command globally.
A Pentagon spokesperson for US Africa Command, Colonel Becky Heyse, described the joint approach as effective.
“Our recent joint efforts in Nigeria are a prime example of how this tailored, temporary footprint can yield significant security returns,” she said.
The New York Times reported that Washington’s decision to reduce its military presence followed an assessment that the larger contingent had accomplished the main objectives of the specific mission for which it was deployed.
The United States had expanded its military presence in Nigeria in February following months of heightened security concerns, with American and Nigerian forces working together on intelligence-driven operations targeting extremist groups in the country’s North-East.
Despite the planned troop reduction, the continued presence of US trainers and intelligence personnel is expected to maintain American support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
