The United States is planning to withdraw about 200 troops deployed to Nigeria for counterterrorism operations, following what American officials described as significant progress against Islamist militant groups in the region.
According to The New York Times, the Pentagon is expected to complete the withdrawal by late September, effectively winding down the larger US military presence established in Nigeria earlier this year.
The American personnel were deployed to support Nigerian forces through intelligence-sharing, training and other counterterrorism activities.
Although the deployment was relatively small, US and Nigerian officials told the newspaper that it produced notable results, particularly in intelligence cooperation and counterterrorism operations.
However, the planned withdrawal is not expected to end US military cooperation with Nigeria. Small teams of American trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in the country after the larger contingent leaves.
US officials also reportedly viewed the deployment as a possible model for future counterterrorism missions in Africa, combining a limited military presence with intelligence-sharing and support for local forces.
The planned drawdown follows a US-supported operation in the Lake Chad Basin in May that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was identified as the second-in-command of ISIS.
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Commander of the US Africa Command, Dagvin Anderson, said last month that the United States had already withdrawn a significant number of its personnel from Nigeria following the operation.
Anderson said the May operation had significantly weakened ISIS’ leadership structure in Nigeria and beyond.
He also said Nigeria had remained “very active” since the operation, particularly in efforts to prevent terrorist groups from developing the capacity to sustain themselves independently.
According to Anderson, Washington would maintain its intelligence partnership with Abuja despite the reduction in American military personnel.
The planned withdrawal comes as Nigeria and the United States continue broader security cooperation, including discussions on counterterrorism and the protection of vulnerable communities.
It also follows the second round of talks between both countries in Washington under a joint working group focused on protecting Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.