Nigeria Warns Citizens Against Illegal Recruitment into Foreign Wars
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government warns Nigerians against illegal recruitment into foreign armed conflicts, citing rising cases of citizens deceived with false job and migration offers before being deployed to war zones.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is alarmed by reports that Nigerians are lured abroad with promises of lucrative employment, education or fast-tracked citizenship, only to be coerced into military service.
Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa says some victims are pressured into signing contracts they do not understand, sometimes in foreign languages, with travel documents confiscated on arrival. “Such actions endanger lives and may violate Nigerian and international laws,” the ministry warns.
Authorities allege that intermediaries exploit tourist and non-military visas to facilitate recruitment. The government cautions that participation in foreign conflicts without official approval carries severe legal and security consequences.
The warning follows reports that some Nigerians were recruited and deployed to fight in the war linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian sources claim foreign fighters are used in high-risk operations, with several Nigerians reportedly killed.
Responding to the allegations, Andrey Podyolyshev denies any state-backed recruitment programme, saying Moscow is ready to investigate credible claims.
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