US to Withdraw 200 Troops From Nigeria After Joint Counterterrorism Operations

The United States is preparing to withdraw about 200 troops deployed to Nigeria earlier this year to support the country’s fight against Islamist militants, according to a report by The New York Times.

The withdrawal is expected to be completed by late September, following months of joint operations between American and Nigerian forces focused on intelligence sharing, special forces training and counterterrorism missions against extremist groups.

US and Nigerian officials told the newspaper that although the deployment was relatively small, it produced significant results.

Small teams of American trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in Nigeria after the larger contingent leaves, according to the report published on Thursday, August 27.

US officials reportedly described the deployment as a potential model for future American military operations in Africa, arguing that a limited number of personnel were able to achieve substantial counterterrorism gains.

One of the major successes cited was the May operation that killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, a senior Islamic State figure and reported second-in-command of ISIS in the Lake Chad Basin. The operation was conducted jointly by US and Nigerian forces.

The American troops were deployed to northeastern Nigeria in February 2026, months after President Donald Trump criticised Nigeria’s handling of terrorist violence, particularly attacks targeting Christian communities.

Last month, Dagvin Anderson, commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the United States had already withdrawn a significant number of its personnel from Nigeria following the May operation.

Anderson said the operation had dealt a major blow to ISIS leadership in Nigeria and had also affected the group’s broader operations.

Despite the reported successes of the joint campaign, militant violence has continued in several parts of Nigeria, with armed groups carrying out deadly attacks in recent weeks.

The planned withdrawal therefore comes as Nigeria continues to face persistent security challenges and seeks to strengthen its own counterterrorism capabilities.