The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has cautioned that the withdrawal of most United States troops from Nigeria’s joint counterterrorism operations could embolden insurgent groups and trigger a new wave of violence if the Federal Government does not urgently reinforce security in vulnerable communities.
In a statement released on Friday, July 3, 2026, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the drawdown creates a window for terrorist organisations to regroup, recruit, and expand operations, especially in areas that have already suffered repeated attacks.
HURIWA’s concern follows a public announcement by General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, confirming that most American troops deployed to support counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria had been withdrawn.
While the group acknowledged that intelligence sharing between the U.S. and Nigeria will continue, it argued that intelligence alone is not enough without boots on the ground, rapid response, and sustained military pressure.
“Although the continuation of intelligence sharing remains valuable, intelligence is only effective when matched by rapid deployment, sustained military pressure and effective civilian protection,” the statement read.
The association warned that history shows terrorist groups often exploit periods of reduced military presence to reorganize. “Nigeria cannot afford such a scenario at a time when many communities remain exposed and security challenges persist across several regions,” HURIWA said.
HURIWA aligned itself with recent concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the FCT, as well as the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy. Both bodies have disputed claims that attacks on Christians have ended.
According to HURIWA, many communities across Nigeria continue to experience deadly attacks, kidnappings, mass displacement, and the destruction of homes, churches, farms and other sources of livelihood.
The group noted that while recent international operations have disrupted some terrorist cells and eliminated a number of commanders, those gains have not translated into lasting safety for ordinary citizens. Armed groups, it said, still have the capacity to strike rural communities, highways, and places of worship, leaving many Nigerians living in fear.
The association urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately reinforce military deployments in high-risk areas and maintain relentless pressure on terrorist networks to prevent a resurgence.
HURIWA stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or location, deserves equal protection under the Constitution. “Protecting lives must remain the government’s foremost responsibility,” Onwubiko said. “Any relaxation in the fight against insurgency could reverse recent gains and expose more communities to violence
The rights group appealed to the international community, and particularly the United States, not to interpret the troop withdrawal as a signal that the war on terror in Nigeria has been won.
It said continued cooperation remains critical. That includes intelligence sharing, logistical support, specialized training for Nigerian troops, technological assistance such as surveillance equipment, and sustained diplomatic engagement.
HURIWA argued that while Nigerian forces have made progress, they still require external support to close capability gaps in air power, surveillance, and specialized counterinsurgency training. Cutting that support too quickly, it warned, risks undoing years of joint work.
The withdrawal comes at a fragile moment. Several states in the North-East, North-West, and parts of the North-Central continue to record attacks on villages and highways. Kidnapping for ransom also remains widespread.
Security experts have long noted that insurgent groups adapt quickly to changes in pressure. When military operations slow, recruitment picks up, supply lines reopen, and previously displaced fighters return to areas they once controlled.
HURIWA said that is exactly the risk now. Without a deliberate surge in Nigerian capacity to match the U.S. drawdown, communities on the frontlines could face renewed violence.
The group’s statement adds to a growing chorus of civil society and faith leaders warning that security has not yet stabilized. CAN’s northern chapter and senior clergy have in recent weeks said that narratives of “peace returning” do not match what is happening on the ground.
For HURIWA, acknowledging that progress has been made is important, but so is being honest about gaps. Eliminating a few commanders does not equal dismantling a network. Disrupting a cell does not equal securing a highwa
HURIWA is calling on the Federal Government to treat the U.S. withdrawal as a “wake-up call” rather than a victory lap. That means budgeting for more mobility, air assets, and welfare for troops deployed in hotspots. It also means improving coordination between federal security agencies and local communities who often have the earliest warning of an impending attack.
The association also urged citizens to remain vigilant and to cooperate with security agencies, while reminding the government that public trust depends on visible protection.
“Nigeria has made sacrifices and recorded gains,” the statement concluded. “But those gains are fragile. The moment we ease off is the moment the enemy advances.”
As U.S. operational troops exit, the burden shifts more squarely to Abuja. HURIWA’s message is clear: fill the gap now, or risk paying a higher price later.
