Why US withdrew troops from Nigeria – Military spokesman, Uba

The Nigerian military has provided insight into the reasons behind the withdrawal of United States troops from the country. Major General Samaila Uba, the Director of Defence Information, revealed that the deployment of 200 US soldiers to Nigeria was initially tied to counterterrorism operations. Uba emphasized that the withdrawal is a reflection of the dynamic nature of their engagement.

He confirmed that while some elements of the US security partnership, including intelligence cooperation, training, and information sharing, will continue, the main body of the 200-strong contingent will depart by late September, with a smaller team of advisors and intelligence personnel staying behind. It is noteworthy that the US had originally planned to deploy about 200 troops to Nigeria in early 2026 for a limited counterterrorism mission.

In response to this development, Uba underscored the Nigerian military's continued commitment to safeguarding the nation, emphasizing that the protection of Nigerian citizens remains primarily the responsibility of the country's security forces. He highlighted that the collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the United States aims to enhance their capabilities through intelligence sharing, training and other collaborative efforts.

Uba further affirmed that the partnership has significantly contributed to the robust fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats. He reiterated that the decision to withdraw the 200 troops from Nigeria is a natural evolution of their engagement.