The United States is planning to withdraw about 200 military personnel currently deployed to Nigeria as part of efforts to support the country’s fight against terrorism.
According to reports by The New York Times, the larger contingent is expected to leave Nigeria by the end of September 2026.
The American personnel were deployed earlier this year to assist Nigerian forces in counterterrorism operations targeting Islamist militant groups.
Despite the relatively small size of the deployment, American and Nigerian officials reportedly said the mission had delivered significant results.
Following the planned withdrawal, the US is expected to maintain a limited military presence in Nigeria. The remaining personnel will reportedly include military trainers and intelligence specialists who will continue to work closely with their Nigerian counterparts.
US officials are also said to view the Nigeria deployment as a potential model for future American security operations across Africa.
The strategy focused on deploying a limited number of troops while placing greater emphasis on intelligence sharing, training and cooperation with local security forces.
The planned drawdown comes after a US-supported operation in May that resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS in the Lake Chad Basin.
Following the operation, the number of US military personnel stationed in Nigeria was reduced.
Dagvin Anderson, commander of the US Africa Command, had earlier confirmed that Washington had scaled back its military presence in Nigeria after the May operation.
He also noted that Nigerian security forces had continued conducting operations against terrorist groups in the months that followed.
Although the US is reducing its troop presence, Washington is expected to maintain intelligence-sharing and other security cooperation with Nigeria.
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