Nigeria Warns Against Foreign Enlistment After Death Report of 2 Citizens in Ukraine

Nigeria’s government has issued an urgent warning against illegal recruitment schemes drawing its citizens into foreign conflicts, reflecting growing concern over African involvement in the war in Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministry said investigations and security reports pointed to an increase in Nigerians being misled into signing military service contracts abroad.

Several Nigerians who have fallen victim to such unfortunate situations were deployed to combat zones after being misled and coerced into signing military service contracts.

Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa

The advisory follows disclosures by Ukrainian Defence Intelligence (UDI), which confirmed the deaths of two Nigerian nationals.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole joined Russian forces on August 29, 2025, while Mbah Stephen Udoka enlisted on September 28, 2025.

Both men were killed in late November 2025 during a Ukrainian drone strike amid combat operations in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said the men served in Russia’s 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment.

Deception And Contractual Coercion

Ebienfa said victims were often promised employment, security work, educational opportunities, or migration incentives. Upon arrival, some allegedly faced pressure to sign contracts written in foreign languages without proper legal advice.

In certain cases, travel documents were confiscated. Intermediaries were said to facilitate travel using tourist or non-military visas, masking the nature of recruitment.

Nigeria has not independently verified the deaths cited by Ukrainian authorities but expressed “grave concern” over what it described as a troubling trend. Dozens of Nigerians, with figures of up to 36 recruits mentioned in some reports, may have reportedly been drawn into the conflict, with at least five deaths having been confirmed.

Recruitment Networks Under Scrutiny

The warning aligns with statements from other African governments. Other African states have accused Russia of luring fighters through deceptive employment offers. Ugandan, Kenyan, and South African recruits were described as entering Russia’s military via clandestine networks, though Russia has denied systematic coercion.

UDI estimates indicate more than 1,400 individuals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine itself has previously faced criticism for attempting to attract foreign nationals, including Africans, to join its forces.

Legal And Diplomatic Response

Nigeria cautioned that participation in foreign conflicts may violate domestic and international laws governing mercenary activities. Diplomatic missions have been instructed to strengthen consular support and issue public advisories.

Authorities also said they are working with international partners to investigate recruitment pipelines and enhance awareness campaigns.

Retired Nigerian military expert Maj. Bashir Galma told the BBC that such recruitment patterns are not new. “Even during the Yugoslavia issues many years ago, we had that problem,” he said. “It is sad that our youth are falling into these traps and losing their lives to a war that means nothing to them.”

The Nigerian government’s intervention underscores widening African unease over the externalization of Ukraine war recruitment and its implications for citizen safety, legal accountability, and diplomatic relations.