The United States plans to withdraw about 200 troops from Nigeria by late September, ending a temporary mission that strengthened intelligence and counterterrorism cooperation with Nigerian forces.
The troops arrived in northeastern Nigeria in February after President Donald Trump criticised the country over attacks on Christians. The deployment expanded an existing US military presence focused on intelligence sharing, training and combat support.
According to the report, the US-Nigeria security partnership contributed to a May operation that killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, described by US officials as a senior Islamic State leader. More than 200 other militants were reportedly killed in subsequent airstrikes and ground operations involving American and Nigerian forces. The operations also used MQ-9 Reaper drones and AC-130 gunships.
Despite these gains, terrorist attacks continue across Nigeria. Recent attacks in the northwest and central regions killed dozens of people, while terrorists also launched a major assault on a military base in the northeast.
US Africa Command spokesperson Col. Becky Heyse described the mission as evidence that a limited American military presence can deliver security benefits.
“Our recent joint efforts in Nigeria are a prime example of how this tailored, temporary footprint can yield significant security returns,” Heyse said.
The larger contingent will leave by late September, but small teams of US trainers and intelligence analysts will remain in Nigeria.
The planned US troop withdrawal from Nigeria follows stronger military ties between Washington and Abuja. Trump and President Bola Tinubu exchanged letters supporting the partnership in July, while a Nigerian military delegation met US officials in Washington on August 13.
Security analysts have warned that reduced American intelligence support could allow terrorist groups to regroup if Nigeria fails to maintain the capabilities developed through the partnership.
With the US troop withdrawal from Nigeria approaching, can Nigerian forces sustain the security gains achieved through the cooperation?
