The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against illegal recruitment into foreign armed conflicts, citing growing cases of citizens allegedly being deceived with job offers abroad and forced into combat roles.
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In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “grave concern” over reports that Nigerians are being lured to foreign countries with promises of employment, security work, education and migration opportunities, only to be deployed to war zones.
The warning comes amid recent developments in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. On February 12, Ukrainian authorities said they discovered the bodies of two Nigerians in the Luhansk region who were allegedly fighting on Russia’s side. Military intelligence identified them as Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 38.
A day later, another Nigerian, Abubakar Adamu, appealed to the Federal Government for urgent repatriation from Russia, claiming he was lured to the country with a job offer as a security guard but had his travel documents confiscated on arrival. He alleged he was compelled to sign enlistment papers written entirely in Russian without an interpreter.
Recent media investigations, including a report by CNN, have also indicated that several Africans from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda were recruited to Russia under the guise of civilian employment such as drivers and security guards.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said available intelligence and media reports suggest some Nigerians were misled into signing military service contracts in foreign languages without proper legal guidance.
“The Ministry wishes to emphasise that Nigerians who choose to participate in foreign conflicts outside approved governmental frameworks do so at their own risk,” the statement said.
According to the government, involvement in foreign conflicts outside authorised channels may violate Nigerian and international laws regulating mercenary activities and foreign enlistment.
The ministry said it is working with domestic and international partners to investigate recruitment networks behind the schemes and to raise public awareness on the dangers. Nigerian missions abroad have also been directed to strengthen consular vigilance and provide timely advisory services to citizens.
Parents, guardians, community leaders and educational institutions were urged to sensitise young people about deceptive foreign recruitment offers, while citizens were advised to verify overseas employment and study opportunities through official channels and report suspicious activities to authorities.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad, stressing that no citizen should be exploited or trafficked into foreign conflicts under any circumstances.
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