The United States is preparing to withdraw roughly 200 American troops currently stationed in Nigeria. The deployment, which began earlier this year, was focused on supporting efforts against Islamist militant groups in the region.
According to a report by the New York Times, both U.S. and Nigerian officials confirmed the planned pullout. The sources described the mission as relatively small in size but noted that it delivered significant support to local counterterrorism operations.
The troops were part of a broader advisory and training role aimed at assisting Nigerian forces with intelligence, logistics, and operational planning. Officials said the presence helped strengthen coordination and capacity in the fight against extremist groups operating in parts of West Africa.
The decision to scale down comes as the Pentagon reassesses its footprint across the region. American officials indicated that the objectives of the deployment have largely been met and that Nigerian security forces are now better positioned to lead ongoing operations.
Nigerian authorities have not announced any changes to bilateral security cooperation. Both sides emphasized that collaboration will continue through training programs, intelligence sharing, and equipment support, even as the current contingent of U.S. personnel prepares to depart.
Pentagon to Pull About 200 U.S. Troops Out of Nigeria as Counterterrorism Mission Scales Down
