Insecurity: US troops set to leave Nigeria

The United States is preparing to withdraw approximately 200 American troops from Nigeria, according to a report by the New York Times. These troops were initially deployed in early 2026 to combat Islamist militants. The withdrawal is projected to be completed by late September, although the US intends to maintain a smaller presence in the country.

The New York Times emphasized that this reduced force would consist of American trainers and intelligence personnel who would continue to assist Nigerian-led operations. The US military, in collaboration with Nigerian forces, successfully carried out an operation in the Lake Chad Basin that led to the death of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, a significant Islamic State figure serving as the second-in-command globally.

Colonel Becky Heyse, a spokesperson for the Pentagon’s Africa Command, praised these joint efforts, stating that they effectively demonstrated the benefits of a temporary, tailored military presence in Nigeria. The decision to withdraw comes after the US concluded that the primary mission for which the larger force was deployed had reached its main objectives.

Earlier this year, the US heightened its military presence in Nigeria due to escalating security concerns. US and Nigerian forces cooperated on intelligence-driven operations against extremist targets in the North-East region.