The United States is set to withdraw about 200 military personnel from Nigeria, ending a deployment that formed part of its counterterrorism operations in the country.
According to a New York Times report, the bulk of the troops will exit Nigeria by the end of September 2026.
The soldiers were deployed to Nigeria earlier in the year to support ongoing efforts against Islamist militant groups operating in the region. Both American and Nigerian officials say the mission delivered notable results despite its modest troop numbers.
While most personnel will be pulled out, Washington plans to retain a smaller footprint in the country. Military trainers and intelligence specialists are expected to remain, continuing to work alongside Nigerian forces.
US officials reportedly see the Nigeria deployment as a potential blueprint for future American security engagements across Africa — one built around a light troop presence backed by training support, intelligence sharing, and close coordination with local forces.
The drawdown comes months after a May operation, backed by US forces, that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, said to be the second-in-command of ISIS in the Lake Chad Basin. American troop numbers in Nigeria were scaled back in the aftermath of that strike.
Dagvin Anderson, commander of US Africa Command, had earlier confirmed the reduction in US military presence following the May operation, noting that Nigerian forces sustained the fight against terrorist groups in the months that followed.
Despite the troop pullback, the US says it will continue intelligence cooperation with Nigeria.
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