The United States is preparing to withdraw about 200 American troops deployed to Nigeria earlier this year as part of a counterterrorism mission, with the larger withdrawal expected to be completed by late September 2026.
US military officials said the deployment achieved significant results in supporting Nigeria’s fight against Islamist militants, particularly through intelligence sharing, training and specialised counterterrorism assistance.
The troops were deployed to Nigeria earlier this year following an agreement between Washington and Abuja to strengthen cooperation against terrorist groups operating in the country, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin.
The mission included support for Nigerian forces through intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and specialised training rather than a large-scale American combat deployment.
One of the major developments linked to the operation was a joint US-Nigerian military action in May that killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, whom US officials identified as a senior Islamic State figure and the group’s second-in-command. American officials have described the operation as a major counterterrorism success.
Despite the planned withdrawal, the United States is not ending its security partnership with Nigeria. Smaller teams of American trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in the country to support Nigerian-led operations.
The planned withdrawal follows an earlier partial drawdown announced in July. At the time, the Commander of US Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, said most of the forces deployed specifically for the Lake Chad operation had already left Nigeria, while intelligence-sharing and broader security cooperation continued.
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