The United States Government has withdrawn most of the troops it deployed in Nigeria earlier this year in an effort to help fight Islamist militant groups.
Last December, US and Nigerian forces launched a joint operation in the Lake Chad Basin area, which involved strikes against militants on Christmas Day, followed by the deployment of about 200 soldiers two months later.
Senior Islamic State (IS) leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed during the months-long mission.
On Thursday this week, the US said the operation had been a success.
A military source says the withdrawal of US soldiers would not affect Nigeria’s momentum in the fight against terrorists.
Military cooperation between Nigeria and the US increased after Washington accused Nigerian authorities of not doing enough to protect vulnerable groups against Islamist militants and alleged there was a “Christian genocide” in the country.
Nigeria has firmly rejected this claim, saying the violence is complex and affects people from all communities.


