United States to withdraw 200 troops from Nigeria

Nigeria has confirmed the planned withdrawal of approximately 200 United States troops from the country. The personnel, operating under the guidance of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), have primarily served in advisory, intelligence-sharing, and technical support roles to assist the Nigerian Armed Forces in managing security crises.

The deployment focused on combating insurgencies from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North-East, as well as addressing banditry and kidnapping in the North-West. Recent joint operations involving commandos and aerial assets, such as Reaper drones, reportedly inflicted significant losses on militants, including a raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki.

While most troops are expected to depart by late September, trainers and intelligence analysts are slated to remain. This transition aligns with a shift toward a “light footprint” approach by AFRICOM, emphasizing capacity building over direct troop presence. However, security experts have expressed concerns that reduced intelligence support could allow armed groups to regroup amidst ongoing violence.