The Nigerian government has issued a stern warning to its citizens following reports that nationals are being lured into foreign armed conflicts under false pretences. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Sunday expressed “grave concern” over rising cases of Nigerians being “misled and coerced” into signing military contracts. The ministry says many were originally promised lucrative jobs, security roles, or educational incentives abroad. While the official statement did not name a specific country, it follows a wave of investigative reports by Nigerian media outlets—including The Punch and Premium Times—alleging that dozens of Nigerians have been recruited to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Deceptive recruitment tactics
The government outlined a pattern of exploitation used by international recruitment agents:
False Promises: Victims are lured with offers of high salaries, signing bonuses, and fast-tracked citizenship.
Contract Coercion: Reports suggest many are forced to sign military agreements in foreign languages without legal guidance or translation.
Travel Control: In several instances, travel documents are confiscated upon arrival, leaving citizens stranded in combat zones.
Reports of ‘Frontline Fodder’
Domestic media investigations have recently highlighted the plight of Nigerians caught in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Punch recently reported that as many as 36 Nigerian youths may have ended up on the front lines, with several deaths confirmed. Premium Times and TheCable identified two Nigerians, Hamzat Kolawole and Mbah Udoka, who were reportedly killed in the Luhansk region while serving with Russian forces in late 2025. Accounts from survivors, such as Balogun Adisa Ridwan, who was captured by Ukrainian forces, suggest that many arrived on tourist visas expecting civilian work, only to be sent to the front after just a few weeks of training.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Nigerian government has not authorized any such recruitment. It warned that Nigerians participating in foreign conflicts outside approved frameworks do so at their own risk and may be violating international laws on mercenary activity.
Government Response
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyelyshev, has previously denied any state-sponsored recruitment programs, suggesting any such activity would be the work of “illegal organizations.”
In response to the escalating situation, Abuja has:Directed Missions Abroad to increase consular vigilance and support for stranded nationals, launched Investigations alongside international partners to track the intermediaries and travel agencies involved, advised citizens to verify all overseas employment or study opportunities through official government channels before departing. The ministry urged parents and community leaders to sensitize young Nigerians about the “grave risks” of these deceptive schemes, reiterating that the nation’s youth must not be “trafficked into foreign conflicts.”
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