The Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians against accepting offers that could lead to their recruitment into foreign armed conflicts, warning that many citizens are being deceived with false promises and ending up in dangerous combat zones.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria expressed concern over what it described as a growing pattern of Nigerians being lured abroad under the guise of employment, education, or migration opportunities.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the government was alarmed by reports indicating that some recruits were later forced into military roles after arriving in foreign countries.
“The Federal Government is deeply worried about the safety and welfare of citizens who are being recruited through deceptive means,” the ministry said. “In several cases, Nigerians were promised lucrative jobs or study opportunities, only to find themselves deployed to conflict zones.”
According to the ministry, investigations and security briefings suggest that some victims were pressured into signing military service contracts they did not fully understand.
“Many are reportedly made to sign documents in foreign languages without proper legal guidance, while their travel documents are sometimes confiscated on arrival,” the statement added.
Officials also warned that intermediaries were allegedly arranging travel using tourist or other non-military visas, masking the true nature of the mission.
The government stressed that participating in foreign wars outside approved channels could expose citizens to legal consequences.
“Any Nigerian who accepts such offers risks violating both national and international laws governing mercenary activities and foreign enlistment,” the ministry warned. “Citizens who engage in such actions do so at their own risk.”
The ministry said Nigeria was working with international partners to investigate the recruitment networks and improve awareness about the dangers involved. Nigerian missions abroad, it added, had been instructed to strengthen consular monitoring and provide timely guidance to nationals.
Authorities also urged parents, schools, and community leaders to educate young people about fraudulent overseas recruitment schemes.
“We advise Nigerians to verify all foreign job and study opportunities through official government channels and report suspicious offers to the appropriate authorities,” the ministry stated.
The warning follows reports that some Nigerians were recruited to fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine after being promised security jobs and better living conditions abroad.
While acknowledging the reports, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, denied any official involvement by his government.
“There is no state-backed programme recruiting Nigerians to fight in Ukraine,” he said at a recent briefing. “If illegal groups are involved, we are prepared to forward any credible information to our law enforcement authorities for investigation.”
Reaffirming its position, the Nigerian government said it remained committed to protecting its citizens.
“Nigeria will continue to safeguard the dignity and welfare of its nationals everywhere,” the ministry said. “No Nigerian should be exploited or trafficked into foreign conflicts under any circumstances.”
