The federal government has warned citizens against illegal recruitment into foreign armed conflicts, citing rising cases of Nigerians allegedly being lured abroad under false pretences and forced into combat roles.
BACKGROUND
On February 12, Ukraine said it discovered the bodies of two Nigerians in its Luhansk region who were allegedly fighting on Russia’s side in the protracted war.
Ukraine said military intelligence operatives identified the Nigerians as Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 38.
On February 13, Abubakar Adamu, a Nigerian man, appealed to the federal government to urgently move for his repatriation from Russia over claims that he was lured into the Russian army under the guise of employment as a security guard.
Adamu alleged that when he arrived in Russia, his travel documents were confiscated and he was forced to sign enlistment papers written entirely in Russian language, without an interpreter.
Last week, a CNN investigation uncovered how Africans from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda were reportedly lured to Russia under the guise of civilian job offers such as drivers or security guards.
‘JOIN AT YOUR RISK’
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the ministry of foreign affairs expressed “grave concern” over “alarming cases of Nigerian citizens being illegally recruited to participate in foreign armed conflicts” with promises of lucrative jobs, security work, educational opportunities and migration incentives, only to be deployed in war zones.
The ministry said media investigations and security reports indicate that some Nigerians were misled into signing military service contracts in foreign languages without proper legal guidance.
The government said participating in foreign conflicts outside approved governmental frameworks may violate Nigerian and international laws regulating mercenary activities and foreign enlistment.
“The Ministry wishes to emphasise that Nigerians who choose to participate in foreign conflicts outside approved governmental frameworks do so at their own risk,” the statement reads.
The government said it is engaging domestic and international partners to investigate the recruitment networks and raise public awareness about the dangers of such schemes.
It said it has also directed Nigerian missions abroad to strengthen consular vigilance and provide timely advisory services to citizens.
The ministry urged parents, guardians, community leaders and educational institutions to sensitise young Nigerians to the risks associated with deceptive foreign recruitment offers.
Citizens were advised to verify overseas employment or study opportunities through official government channels and report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
The government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad, reiterating that no citizen should be exploited or trafficked into foreign conflicts under any circumstances.
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