US begins withdrawing 200 troops from Nigeria, keeping small advisory team

US forces deployed to Nigeria in early 2026 for a limited counterterrorism mission are now withdrawing, with the main contingent of about 200 soldiers set to leave by late September while a smaller advisory and intelligence team remains behind. Defence Information Director Major General Samaila Uba said the drawdown reflects the evolving nature of the US‑Nigeria security partnership, emphasizing that intelligence cooperation, training and information sharing will continue.

The withdrawal underscores that Nigeria’s armed forces retain primary responsibility for defending the country and protecting citizens, even as the US scales back its on‑the‑ground presence. Uba noted the joint effort has strengthened the fight against terrorism and transnational threats, and the ongoing collaboration aims to sustain those gains through continued advisory support and capacity building.

Given the continued advisory team and the emphasis on Nigerian‑led security, will you feel confident that local forces can maintain counterterrorism progress, or do you think the government should seek additional international partnerships to bolster safety?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/03/why-us-withdrew-troops-from-nigeria-military-spokesman-uba/