US To Withdraw About 200 Troops From Nigeria By September

 

ABUJA, Nigeria – The United States is reportedly preparing to withdraw about 200 American military personnel from Nigeria, with the pullout expected to be completed by the end of September.

According to a report by The New York Times, the withdrawal would reduce the size of the U.S. military presence in Nigeria but would not end Washington’s security partnership with Abuja.

The report said smaller teams of American military trainers and intelligence personnel are expected to remain in the country to support Nigerian-led counterterrorism operations.

The U.S. troops were deployed to Nigeria earlier in 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen joint operations against Islamist militant groups, particularly in the country's North-East.

The development follows a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted by U.S. and Nigerian forces against extremist targets in the Lake Chad Basin.

One major joint operation resulted in the killing of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, identified by U.S. officials as a senior Islamic State figure and the group's second-in-command globally.

A spokesperson for U.S. Africa Command, Col. 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,” Heyse said.

According to The New York Times, Washington believes the larger military deployment has largely achieved the specific objectives for which it was established.

The United States had increased its military presence in Nigeria in February following months of heightened security concerns and intensified cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

Despite the planned withdrawal, American personnel remaining in Nigeria are expected to continue providing training, intelligence support and other assistance to Nigerian security forces.

The move therefore represents a scaling down of the U.S. military footprint rather than an end to American security cooperation with Nigeria.

The development comes as Nigeria continues to battle Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other armed groups operating across parts of the North-East.