Di United States don announce plans to withdraw about 200 troops wey dem deploy for Nigeria as part of counterterrorism mission. Di pullout go happen by late September, according to report from New York Times.
Di soldiers don dey Nigeria since earlier dis year to support Nigerian forces for fight against Islamist militants. Dem dey do intelligence sharing, training and other counterterrorism activities. Even though di deployment no big, American and Nigerian officials talk say e produce significant results.
But make nobody think say di withdrawal go end US military cooperation with Nigeria. Small teams of trainers and intelligence analysts go remain after di main contingent don comot. American officials also talk say di deployment na model for future US counterterrorism operations for Africa. Dem believe say smaller military footprint plus intelligence cooperation and support for local forces fit work for similar missions.
Di planned withdrawal come after May operation for Lake Chad Basin wey kill Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, wey be second-in-command of ISIS. Last month, commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dagvin Anderson, talk say America don already pull back many of im troops from Nigeria after dat operation. Anderson say di May operation don significantly degrade ISIS leadership structure for Nigeria and for di whole world.
Anderson also talk say Nigeria don remain very active since di operation, especially for efforts to prevent terrorists from sustaining themselves independently. According to am, United States go continue im intelligence partnership with Nigeria despite di reduction for number of American personnel.
Di troop withdrawal dey happen amid continued security cooperation between Abuja and Washington. Just weeks ago, Nigeria and US hold dia second round of talks for Washington under joint working group wey focus on protecting Christian communities for Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
