US troop withdrawal may trigger terrorist resurgence, HURIWA warns

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised concerns over the United States’ decision to withdraw most of its military personnel from the joint counterterrorism operation in Nigeria, warning that the move could create security gaps that terrorist groups may exploit to regroup and intensify attacks.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the rights group urged the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security operations to prevent insurgents from taking advantage of the reduced military presence.

HURIWA cautioned that unless the Nigerian government moves swiftly to fill the gap left by the withdrawal, terrorist groups could reorganise, recruit new fighters and launch fresh attacks on vulnerable communities across the country.

The association said concerns recently expressed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy, reflected the security realities confronting many Nigerians.

According to HURIWA, claims that attacks on Christians have ended do not align with reports of continued killings, kidnappings, displacement and destruction of homes, churches and livelihoods in several parts of the country.

The organisation acknowledged that recent international counterterrorism operations had disrupted some terrorist networks and eliminated certain insurgent commanders but maintained that the gains had yet to translate into lasting security for ordinary citizens.

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It noted that armed groups still possess the capacity to attack rural communities, highways and places of worship, leaving many Nigerians living in fear.

HURIWA said the announcement by the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, that most American troops involved in the operation had been withdrawn should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian authorities rather than a reason for complacency.

While describing continued intelligence sharing between Nigeria and the United States as valuable, the association stressed that intelligence alone cannot defeat terrorism without rapid military deployment, sustained operations and effective protection of civilians.

The rights group warned that terrorist organisations have historically exploited periods of reduced military pressure to rebuild their command structures, recruit fighters and expand their operations.

It therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinforce troop deployments in vulnerable communities, strengthen intelligence-led operations, improve aerial surveillance and sustain military pressure against terrorist groups across the country.

HURIWA also appealed to the international community, particularly the United States, not to regard the troop withdrawal as an indication that the war against terrorism in Nigeria has been won.

The association called for continued intelligence cooperation, logistical support, specialised military training, technological assistance and sustained diplomatic engagement to help degrade the operational capacity of terrorist organisations.

It further urged Nigerian security agencies to prioritise the protection of communities that have suffered repeated attacks, insisting that every citizen, regardless of religion, ethnicity or geographical location, deserves equal protection under the Constitution.

According to the group, any relaxation in counterterrorism efforts could undermine recent gains and expose more communities to violence.

HURIWA reaffirmed that safeguarding lives remains the government’s primary responsibility and called on the Federal Government to demonstrate greater urgency, coordination and accountability in addressing the country’s security challenges.