The United States is set to withdraw about 200 American troops from Nigeria, with the withdrawal expected to be completed by late September 2026.
The troops were deployed to Nigeria earlier in 2026 to assist Nigerian forces in the fight against Islamist militants. However, the planned withdrawal does not signal an end to the security relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
According to a report by The New York Times cited by Daily Post, smaller teams of American trainers and intelligence personnel are expected to remain in Nigeria after the larger contingent leaves. The personnel will continue to support operations led by Nigerian forces.
The development comes after the United States concluded that the specific mission for which the larger contingent was deployed had achieved its main objectives. The US had increased its military presence in Nigeria in February following months of growing security concerns.
During the period, US and Nigerian forces worked together on intelligence-led operations targeting extremist groups in the North-East.
One of the joint operations was conducted in the Lake Chad Basin and resulted in the killing of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, who was identified by US officials as a senior Islamic State figure and the group’s second-in-command globally.
A spokesperson for the Pentagon’s Africa Command, Colonel Becky Heyse, described the approach adopted by the US and Nigerian forces as effective.
“Our recent joint efforts in Nigeria are a prime example of how this tailored, temporary footprint can yield significant security returns,” Heyse said.
The proposed withdrawal therefore represents a reduction in the number of American troops operating in Nigeria rather than a complete withdrawal of US security support. According to the report, American trainers and intelligence personnel will remain to assist Nigerian-led security operations.The development follows months of cooperation between the two countries as Nigerian forces continued operations against extremist targets, particularly in the country’s North-East.
