Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised a serious alarm about the growing trend of citizens being unlawfully recruited to participate in wars abroad.
The warning follows reports from Ukrainian authorities, who said they discovered the remains of two Nigerian nationals believed to have died during fighting last year.
While Nigerian officials have not independently verified those specific deaths, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said in a statement on Sunday that a number of Nigerians have been caught in similar situations. He explained that many were deceived or pressured into signing military agreements and were later sent to conflict areas.
Kenyan authorities have also recently cautioned their own citizens about comparable recruitment schemes.
Nigerian officials say intelligence findings and ongoing investigations show that some individuals were lured with attractive offers, including high-paying jobs, private security roles, study opportunities, or relocation packages. However, instead of receiving those benefits, they reportedly ended up on active battlefronts.
There are also claims that some victims were made to sign agreements written in unfamiliar languages without access to proper legal guidance. In certain instances, their passports and travel papers were reportedly taken from them once they arrived in the foreign country.
Authorities added that recruiters often facilitate travel under false pretences, such as tourist visits or other non-military purposes, concealing the true nature of the mission.
Ebienfa warned citizens to be extremely careful about accepting suspicious overseas offers, noting that such arrangements can put their lives at risk and may also breach both Nigerian and international regulations related to mercenary work and foreign military service.
He added that the federal government is collaborating with domestic and international partners to investigate the matter and increase awareness among the public. Nigerian embassies and diplomatic offices around the world have also been instructed to improve consular assistance and provide timely guidance to nationals.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence claims that over 1,400 people from 36 African nations have been recruited to support Russian forces. Ukraine has also faced past criticism over alleged attempts to enlist foreign fighters, including Africans, to assist its own military efforts.
Governments across Africa have stepped up efforts to caution their citizens and arrange the return of those who were misled into joining the conflict.
Recently, South Africa said President Vladimir Putin had promised to help facilitate the return of South African citizens who had travelled to Ukraine to fight alongside Russian troops.
Speaking to the BBC, retired Nigerian military officer Major Bashir Galma said the involvement of Nigerians and other Africans in overseas wars is not a new development.
He recalled that similar incidents occurred during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia many years ago, adding that it is unfortunate that young people continue to be drawn into conflicts that have no direct relevance to them, often with tragic consequences.
