US to Withdraw 200 Troops From Nigeria as Counterterrorism Mission Winds Down

The United States is preparing to withdraw about 200 troops from Nigeria after a limited counterterrorism deployment that American and Nigerian officials say achieved significant results, according to reporting by The New York Times.

The mission is being described by U.S. officials as a success following joint operations that helped weaken Islamic State networks in the Lake Chad Basin, including a May operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as a senior ISIS figure in the region.

Lake Chad Basin Remains a Key Security Flashpoint

ISIS-linked groups and other extremist networks have used parts of the Lake Chad Basin to plan and launch attacks across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, making the region a major focus of counterterrorism efforts.

The Trump administration had earlier assessed the security situation as a threat to U.S. interests, leading to the deployment of American forces to support Nigerian operations in early 2026.

Joint Operations Targeted Extremist Cells

Before the deployment, U.S. and Nigerian forces intensified targeted operations against extremist groups, including airstrikes and intelligence-led missions aimed at disrupting terrorist cells.

One of the major operations reported during that period was the Christmas Day bombing of terrorist cells in Sokoto State.
About 200 U.S. military personnel were later deployed to support intelligence sharing, training, and tactical operations alongside Nigerian forces.

Diplomatic Tensions Over Security Concerns

The operations also came amid diplomatic tension after Washington accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of failing to do enough to protect Christian communities and other vulnerable groups in northern Nigeria.