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The Federal Government has issued a warning against illegal recruitment of Nigerians into foreign armed conflicts, citing alarm over citizens being deceived into combat zones under false pretenses.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sunday it was troubled by mounting evidence that Nigerians have been lured with promises of lucrative employment, educational opportunities and migration benefits only to find themselves deployed to war zones.
Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said authorities were deeply concerned about citizens recruited through deceptive tactics. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses grave concern over the rising and alarming cases of Nigerian citizens being illegally recruited to participate in foreign armed conflicts,” the statement said.
Media investigations and security reports suggest several Nigerians were allegedly recruited under false promises and subsequently coerced into signing military service contracts, according to the ministry.
“Recent media investigations and security reports indicate that Nigerian nationals were allegedly recruited under false pretences, including promises of lucrative employment, security jobs, educational opportunities, or migration incentives,” the statement said.
Some individuals were reportedly sent to combat areas after being misled and pressured into agreements they did not fully comprehend, the ministry added.
Recruitment methods reportedly included offers of high monthly salaries, signing bonuses and expedited citizenship pathways. “In several instances, victims are reportedly compelled to sign contracts in foreign languages without adequate legal guidance, and their travel documents are allegedly confiscated upon arrival,” the ministry stated.
The government alleged that intermediaries facilitate travel arrangements using tourist or other non-military visa categories to obscure the true purpose of recruitment.
The Federal Government warned citizens that participation in foreign armed conflicts outside approved frameworks could carry serious legal and security consequences.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria unequivocally warns all citizens against engaging in or accepting any offer that involves participation in foreign armed conflicts. Such actions not only endanger lives but may also violate Nigerian and international laws governing mercenary activities and foreign enlistment,” the ministry said.
Nigerians who choose to participate in foreign conflicts without official government approval do so at their own risk, the statement emphasized.
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To address the situation, the ministry disclosed that authorities were working with domestic and international partners to investigate the matter and enhance public awareness about dangers associated with illegal recruitment.
“Nigerian missions abroad have also been directed to strengthen consular vigilance and provide timely advisory services to Nigerian nationals,” the statement said.
The government appealed to parents, guardians, community leaders and educational institutions to educate young Nigerians about risks posed by deceptive foreign recruitment schemes.
The ministry advised citizens to verify overseas employment or academic opportunities through official government channels and report suspicious recruitment activities to relevant authorities.
Nigeria remains committed to protecting the welfare and dignity of its citizens domestically and internationally, the ministry said, reiterating that Nigerian nationals must not be exploited or trafficked into foreign conflicts under any circumstances.
Reports and videos have alleged that some Nigerians and other Africans were recruited under the pretext of security jobs and other opportunities in Russia, only to be deployed to combat after minimal or no training.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia allegedly sought recruits from African nations to supplement its military forces, according to reports. Ukrainian sources claim foreign fighters, including Nigerians, are reportedly used by Russia in high-risk assault operations.
Multiple Nigerians have reportedly been killed while fighting in conflicts they had little understanding of, while others have appealed for assistance and requested repatriation.
Russian Ambassador to Nigeria Andrey Podyolyshev denied any official government involvement in recruitment during a press briefing last week. “There is no government-supported programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine. If there are illegal organisations or individuals trying to recruit Nigerians by unlawful means, this is not connected with the Russian state,” he said.
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Podyolyshev added that Russia stood ready to investigate credible information. “If anybody has this information, we are ready to send it to Russian law enforcement authorities so they can investigate those cases,” he said.
Nigerian officials have not disclosed how many citizens may have been affected or provided specifics about ongoing investigations into recruitment networks.
International law prohibits mercenary activity and establishes frameworks governing participation in foreign conflicts. Nigeria is party to various conventions addressing these issues, though enforcement remains challenging given the transnational nature of recruitment operations.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has previously reported rescuing trafficking victims, though the extent to which its mandate covers recruitment into armed conflicts remains unclear from public statements.
Citizens who find themselves trapped in foreign conflicts often face significant obstacles to repatriation, including confiscated documents, lack of financial resources and diplomatic complexities in war zones.
The ministry’s advisory comes amid broader concerns about trafficking and exploitation of Nigerian migrants seeking opportunities abroad. Deceptive recruitment schemes have long affected citizens pursuing work in various sectors internationally.
Whether the government’s warning will reach vulnerable populations or deter recruitment networks operating clandestinely remains uncertain. Previous public advisories on migration-related risks have had mixed effectiveness in preventing citizens from pursuing risky opportunities abroad.
