Nigeria: United States to withdraw around 200 deployed troops

The United States plans to repatriate around 200 soldiers currently deployed in Nigeria, as part of the support provided to the Nigerian authorities in the fight against armed Islamist groups. According to information reported by The New York Times, this withdrawal should be completed by the end of September. This decision does not, however, mean the end of security cooperation between Washington and Abuja.

Deployed at the beginning of 2026, the American military’s mission was notably to support Nigerian forces in their operations against jihadist organizations active in the country and in the region. Despite the reduction of the device, the United States should maintain a more limited military presence on Nigerian territory. According to the American daily, teams made up of trainers and intelligence specialists will remain on site in order to continue to support local forces.

This redeployment thus marks a reduction in direct American military engagement in Nigeria, without calling into question security relations between the two countries. Washington therefore intends to favor a more restricted system, focused on training, intelligence sharing and support for operations carried out by Nigerian forces.