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Nigerian Citizen Seeks Government Intervention After Alleged Coerced Enlistment in Russian Military
Abubakar Adamu, a Nigerian national, has urgently requested assistance from the federal government to facilitate his repatriation. He asserts that he was deceived into joining the Russian armed forces under the pretense of securing a civilian occupation.
Background of the Incident
According to reports from the counter-terrorism outlet Zagazola Makama, Adamu’s legal representatives have officially notified Nigerian authorities regarding his predicament. He traveled to Moscow on a tourist visa granted by the Russian Embassy in Abuja on October 16, 2025, under the impression that he had obtained employment as a security guard.
Allegations of Forced Military Recruitment
Upon arrival in Russia, Adamu claims that his passport and travel documents were confiscated. His lawyers allege that he was coerced into signing enlistment documents written exclusively in Russian, without any translation or interpreter present. It was only after signing that he realized he had been conscripted into the Russian military.
Currently, Adamu is reportedly stationed at a Russian military base and has refused orders to be deployed to combat zones in Ukraine, leaving him in a precarious and isolated situation.
Context: African Nationals and Russian Military Recruitment
This case emerges amid increasing international concern over reports that African citizens are being recruited into Russia’s military efforts under dubious conditions. On February 12, 2026, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence revealed the recovery of two Nigerian soldiers’ bodies in the Luhansk region. The deceased, Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole (42) and Mbah Stephen Udoka (38), reportedly died in late November 2025, shortly after enlisting.
A recent investigation by CNN highlighted a troubling pattern where individuals from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda were lured to Russia with promises of civilian roles such as drivers and security personnel. Instead, many were allegedly compelled into military service with minimal training before being dispatched to frontline combat.
Official Responses and Denials
In response to these allegations, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyelyshev, categorically denied any Kremlin involvement in forced recruitment schemes, dismissing the claims as unfounded earlier this week.
Implications and the Need for Protective Measures
The situation underscores the vulnerability of foreign nationals who may be exploited amid geopolitical conflicts. It also highlights the urgent need for governments to safeguard their citizens abroad, especially in conflict zones or under authoritarian regimes.
As of 2026, international organizations continue to monitor such recruitment practices closely, advocating for transparency and protection of human rights for all individuals caught in these complex situations.
