Nigeria confirms planned withdrawal of US troops sent to help tackle insecurity crisis

On Tuesday, the military high command disclosed the reasons behind the reported withdrawal of United States troops from Nigeria. According to the Director, Defence Information, Samaila Uba, the withdrawal does not signify a breakdown of bilateral security cooperation between the two nations. The US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Commander, General Dagvin R.M.

Anderson, announced the withdrawal in July after deploying around 200 military personnel in February 2026. These troops were part of a strategic intelligence, surveillance, and counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin. The US-Nigeria security partnership has been strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial, with key areas of cooperation including intelligence sharing, military training, and information exchange.

Despite the withdrawal, Uba reassured that key aspects of the partnership, such as intelligence cooperation and military training, remain in place. He emphasized that the responsibility for defending Nigeria primarily lies with Nigerian security forces and that foreign partnerships aim to bolster local capabilities. The military spokesman urged journalists and the public not to misinterpret the troop drawdown as evidence of a collapse in Nigeria's security cooperation or national defense.