The tide is turning in Nigeria’s war on terror — and Washington has noticed.
The United States says it is pulling about 200 of its troops out of Nigeria next month after what Pentagon and Nigerian officials called “outsized results” against militants in the north.
“Model For Africa”
US Africa Command chief General Dagvin Anderson described Nigeria as a blueprint for future American operations on the continent.
He highlighted a May joint operation that eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS in the Lake Chad Basin.
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Since then, Anderson said, Nigeria has been “very active” in cutting off terrorists’ ability to sustain themselves. American troops and equipment arrived in February after Abuja requested help with training, technical support and intelligence-sharing.
Their mission: help Nigerian soldiers in the fight against Islamic militants and other armed groups.US officials say that partnership worked.
The Pentagon now wants to shift from boots on the ground to a leaner advisory role.
Terrorists Reeling: Sokoto Clashes, Boko Haram Raid
The battlefield gains have been bloody. Terrorists have suffered heavy losses after a recent engagement with troops in Sokoto.
In a separate operation, the Nigerian Army raided a Boko Haram camp and killed 21 insurgents.AFRICOM confirmed the US will retain its intelligence partnership with Nigeria even as most troops depart — a sign Washington believes Abuja can now carry more of the fight alone.
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Diplomacy In DC: Ribadu, Hooker Meet
The momentum was discussed at the highest level this month. From August 12 to 13, senior US and Nigerian officials held their second Joint Working Group meeting in Washington, D.C. National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu led Nigeria’s team, while US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker headed the American side. The talks covered counterterrorism and security cooperation.
The working group was set up after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations of Christian genocide — a move that triggered deeper US military engagement.
For now, the message from both capitals is the same: progress is being made, and Nigeria is making significant gains.
