The Nigerian government has confirmed plans by the United States to withdraw about 200 military personnel deployed to the country to support efforts to combat terrorism and other security threats.
The withdrawal was confirmed by Nigerian military spokesperson, Samaila Uba, who said the deployment had been tied to specific operational and counterterrorism objectives.
The US personnel were deployed in February amid heightened tensions between Abuja and Washington over allegations of widespread attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
According to the Nigerian government, the US troops provided training and intelligence support and participated in a joint operation that resulted in the death of a senior Islamic State commander.
“The relationship between Nigeria and the United States remains strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial. The deployment of United States personnel was tied to specific operational and counterterrorism objectives,” Uba said.
He explained that the planned withdrawal was part of the broader engagement between both countries and would not signal the end of their security cooperation.
“Some parts of the security partnership will continue,” he said.
Nigeria continues to face a complex security crisis involving jihadist insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups operating across several parts of the country.
The violence, which has traditionally been concentrated in the North-East and North-West, has increasingly spread to other regions, raising concerns over the capacity of security agencies to contain the threats.
The deployment of US personnel had raised expectations that greater intelligence cooperation and counterterrorism support could help strengthen Nigeria’s response to the crisis.
However, security analysts have questioned the impact of the intervention, noting that attacks and mass abductions have continued in several parts of the country.
The development comes days after scores of people were reportedly abducted in Nigeria’s central region, underscoring the continuing security challenges confronting the government.
Despite the withdrawal of the US personnel, Nigerian authorities have stressed that security cooperation between Abuja and Washington remains ongoing.
