US to Withdraw 200 Troops From Nigeria as Attacks Continue — What It Means for the Counter-Terrorism Mission
ABUJA — The United States is preparing to pull about 200 troops out of Nigeria by late September, ending a deployment sent earlier this year to help Nigerian forces target Islamist militants, according to a New York Times report published this week and cited by Sahara Reporters.
By Source Reporters Newsdesk
Sat, 29 August 2026 · 2 min read
**ABUJA —** The United States is preparing to pull about 200 troops out of Nigeria by late September, ending a deployment sent earlier this year to help Nigerian forces target Islamist militants, according to a New York Times report published this week and cited by Sahara Reporters.
The contingent was deployed to northeastern Nigeria in February after President Donald Trump publicly criticised Abuja over attacks on Christians. The mission expanded an existing US presence focused on intelligence sharing, drone surveillance and combat support, and culminated in a joint May operation against a senior Islamic State figure, US officials told the Times.
## Troops Out, Intelligence Teams Stay
US Africa Command spokesperson Colonel Becky Heyse called the mission "a prime example of how this tailored, temporary footprint can yield significant security returns." Small teams of trainers and intelligence analysts will remain in Nigeria after the larger contingent leaves, according to the report.
The Nigerian military did not respond to the Times' request for comment on the planned drawdown, Sahara Reporters added.
## Attacks Continue Despite Joint Operations
The withdrawal comes as armed groups continue to strike across multiple regions. Gunmen killed more than two dozen people, including an imam, in northwestern Nigeria, and at least 25 people died in a separate attack on a village in central Nigeria, the report said. Terrorists also launched a major assault on a military base in the northeast on Saturday.
President Bola Tinubu has previously promised to "defend our people and protect our society" against terrorism, according to THISDAY.
## What Analysts Are Saying
Nigerian security analyst Malik Samuel said recent operations had recorded successes, particularly against Islamic State insurgents in the northeast, while analyst Kabir Adamu warned that reduced US intelligence support could allow militant networks to regroup, Sahara Reporters reported.
The US retains Nigeria on its list of "countries of particular concern" for religious freedom, according to the BBC, and a senior Nigerian military delegation met US officials in Washington on August 13 to discuss shared security priorities, per the Times.
**Sources:** nytimes.com, saharareporters.com, thisdaylive.com, BBC
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