Nigeria’s military has confirmed the withdrawal of around 200 US military personnel deployed in the country as part of strengthened bilateral defense cooperation, while stressing that the move does not signal an end to the security partnership between Abuja and Washington.
Nigerian Army spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba said the withdrawal should not be interpreted as a “break or termination” of the security partnership between the two countries.
Speaking in Abuja, Uba said US-Nigerian cooperation has continued to produce valuable results in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats, while emphasizing that the primary responsibility for defending Nigeria and protecting its citizens remains with the country’s own security forces.
He said the partnership is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance and other forms of professional military cooperation.
“Our security cooperation with the United States remains enduring,” Uba said, expressing hope that the two countries would continue working together in areas of mutual interest.
The withdrawal follows the deployment of a small US military contingent to Nigeria earlier this year. In February, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) publicly acknowledged the presence of American personnel in the country, marking the first such public confirmation since Washington supported airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Nigeria in December 2025.
The Nigerian armed forces subsequently said around 100 US personnel had arrived following a formal request from Abuja, describing them as technical advisers involved in training and advisory roles rather than combat operations.
The latest deployment was part of a broader effort to deepen counterterrorism cooperation. In November 2025, Nigeria and the United States agreed to establish a joint working group focused on military training, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism operations.
The cooperation expanded amid tensions between the two governments after US President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of allowing the killing of Christians and threatened possible US military intervention. Nigerian authorities rejected the characterization, saying it did not reflect the reality on the ground.
Nigeria has faced a persistent jihadist insurgency for more than a decade. Boko Haram began its campaign in the country’s northeast in 2009, while violence intensified following the emergence of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as a major splinter group.
The country is also confronting growing militant activity in the northwest, particularly in Kebbi and Sokoto states, where the Lakurawa group has carried out attacks and has been linked by Nigerian authorities to the wider Islamic State network.
Despite the withdrawal of the US personnel, Abuja's latest statement indicates that Washington and Nigeria intend to maintain security cooperation, with the emphasis remaining on intelligence, training and technical support rather than a permanent US combat presence.
