Nigeria’s government has raised alarm over what it calls a growing pattern of citizens being lured into foreign wars through deception.
The warning follows reports from Ukrainian authorities that the bodies of two Nigerians were recovered after fighting in Ukraine last year. Nigerian officials say they have not officially confirmed those deaths, but they admit there is serious concern.
In a statement released on Sunday, foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said, “several Nigerians who have fallen victim to such unfortunate situations were deployed to combat zones after being misled and coerced into signing military service contracts”.
Government sources say young people are being targeted with attractive promises. Some are told they will get high-paying security jobs. Others are offered study opportunities or help with migration. Instead, they reportedly end up on battlefields.
Officials say some victims were made to sign contracts written in foreign languages without legal advice. In certain cases, their passports were taken from them after arrival. Travel arrangements were often done using tourist or non-military visas.
The ministry warned that accepting such offers can put lives at risk and may also break Nigerian and international laws on foreign military service.
Nigeria says it is now working with security agencies and international partners to investigate how these recruitment networks operate. Embassies and consulates have been directed to provide stronger support and clear warnings to Nigerians abroad.
The concern is not limited to Nigeria. Kenya has also warned its citizens about similar schemes.
The conflict in Ukraine has drawn fighters from many parts of the world. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,400 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine itself has previously faced criticism for trying to attract foreign fighters, including Africans.
Across Africa, governments are stepping up efforts to bring home citizens who were misled into joining the war. Last week, South Africa said Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised help in returning South Africans who travelled to fight alongside Russian forces.
A retired Nigerian military expert, Maj Bashir Galma, told the BBC that this is not the first time Africans have been pulled into distant wars.
“Even during the Yugoslavia issues many years ago, we had that problem and it is sad that our youth are falling into these traps and losing their lives to a war that means nothing to them,” he said.