A Nigerian national, Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention to facilitate his return from Russia, claiming he was deceived into joining the Russian military.
According to a report by Zagazola Makama, Adamu’s legal representatives formally notified Nigerian authorities of his situation, saying he was misled into military service after travelling to Russia for what he believed was a civilian security job.
Adamu reportedly travelled to Moscow on a tourist visa issued on October 16, 2025, after being promised employment as a sentry. Upon arrival, his travel documents were allegedly seized, and he was compelled to sign enlistment papers written entirely in Russian, without an interpreter. He later discovered that he had been enlisted into the Russian army.
He is currently said to be stranded in a Russian military camp, having refused deployment to combat zones in Ukraine.
The case comes amid mounting reports of foreign nationals allegedly being lured to Russia with promises of civilian jobs, only to be forced into military service. On Thursday, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence confirmed that two Nigerians, Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole (42) and Mbah Stephen Udoka (38), were recovered in the Luhansk region, reportedly while fighting for Russia. Both men had joined the Russian army earlier in 2025.
Investigations suggest that Africans from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda have been recruited under the pretext of civilian employment, but later coerced into frontline military service with minimal training.
Reacting to the allegations, Andrey Podyelyshev, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, denied any state-backed recruitment scheme, distancing the Kremlin from the reports.
Adamu’s lawyers are urging Nigerian authorities to act swiftly to ensure his safe return, citing serious concerns for his wellbeing and safety.