ABUJA — Desperate Nigerian youths and other African nationals are being lured into Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine under the guise of lucrative job offers, study opportunities, and fast-track citizenship, only to be forced into dangerous military contracts.
The alarm was raised by Rinu Oduala, Director of Connect Hub NG and a prominent youth advocate, during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Oduala revealed a disturbing pattern of alleged human trafficking and forced conscription, where unsuspecting Africans are approached by agents with promises of legitimate overseas employment or scholarships, only to be rerouted to the frontlines with minimal training.
The ‘Job Trap’ Recruitment Cycle
Investigations have identified several key tactics used by Russian intermediaries to target the continent’s growing population of unemployed youth:
- The Lure: Agents in major cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg advertise well-paying civilian jobs—such as driving, painting drones, or construction—with monthly salaries as high as ₦500,000 ($330).
- The Trap: Upon arrival in Russia, recruits have their passports and phones confiscated and are coerced into signing military contracts written in Russian.
- The Frontline: After as little as ten days of basic training, these men are deployed to combat zones in Ukraine to face drones, missiles, and harsh winter conditions.
The Human Toll: Survivor Accounts
The human cost of this recruitment scheme is mounting. In early February 2026, reports surfaced of four Nigerians killed in the conflict between December 2025 and January 2026. Their families only learned of their deaths through secret WhatsApp groups used by African fighters.
One survivor, 36-year-old Nigerian mechanic Bankole Manchi, recounted being taken to a military camp instead of a workplace. He described being moved at night into Ukrainian territory, where he was shot and left to survive with minimal food and water. Another survivor, Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to the Nigerian government for urgent repatriation after being tricked into a security role.
Government Silence and Regional Neglect
Despite mounting evidence and investigations by ZAM Magazine and international media like CNN, African state actors have been criticized for “negligent oversight.” While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously refuted reports of recruitment, Oduala and other advocates argue that the lack of protective measures is allowing global conflict networks to exploit Africa’s desperate migration crisis.
This warning follows other reports of African students in Russia being pressured to join the Wagner Group under threats of tuition increases or scholarship cancellations.
As Nigerians face a vanishing middle class and record-high debt (₦152.4tn) at home, Oduala’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which citizens will go for economic survival—and the deadly traps that often await them abroad.
