Nigerian authorities have issued a fresh warning over the recruitment of citizens into armed conflicts abroad through deceptive schemes, saying young people are being targeted with false promises of jobs, education and migration opportunities. In a statement, the Federal Government of Nigeria said criminal networks are luring Nigerians with offers of security work, lucrative contracts or assisted travel, only for them to be deployed to active war zones, including Ukraine.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited media investigations and security reports indicating that some recruits were pressured to sign military contracts written in foreign languages without legal advice. In several cases, passports and travel documents were allegedly confiscated upon arrival, leaving recruits stranded and vulnerable. The warning follows a February 2026 report by INPACT, which documented the recruitment of more than 1,000 Africans since 2023 to fight alongside Russia’s forces in Ukraine. The report said recruiters often promise high salaries, accelerated citizenship or elite military training, but many recruits are sent directly to frontline combat, where deaths have been reported.
Nigerian officials stressed that taking part in foreign conflicts outside approved state or international frameworks breaches Nigerian law and international conventions on mercenary activity. Authorities say they are working with international partners to dismantle recruitment networks, strengthen consular monitoring and raise public awareness. Citizens have been urged to treat unsolicited offers, especially those circulating on social media with extreme caution.
