The United States is preparing to withdraw about 200 troops deployed to Nigeria earlier this year to support the fight against Islamist militants, according to The New York Times.
The withdrawal is expected to be completed by late September, following months of joint operations between US and Nigerian forces. The collaboration included intelligence-sharing, special forces training and counterterrorism missions targeting extremist groups operating in the country.
US and Nigerian officials told The New York Times that despite the relatively small size of the American deployment, the mission produced significant results.
However, small teams of US trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in Nigeria after the larger contingent departs, according to the report published on Thursday, August 27, citing US military officials.
American officials reportedly described the deployment as a potential model for future US counterterrorism operations in Africa, saying the limited number of troops achieved notable successes. Among them was the killing of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, a senior Islamic State figure, during a joint US-Nigerian raid in May.
The US 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Last month, Dagvin Anderson, commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the US had already withdrawn a significant number of its troops from Nigeria following the May operation that killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS in the Lake Chad Basin.
Anderson said the operation had significantly weakened ISIS leadership both in Nigeria and globally.
Despite the reported successes of the joint operations, militant attacks have continued across Nigeria, with armed groups carrying out deadly assaults in several parts of the country in recent weeks.
