Nigeria has issued a strong advisory cautioning its citizens about deceptive military recruitment schemes allegedly targeting Africans for deployment in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.

According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several Nigerians have been lured abroad under false pretences, only to be pressured or misled into signing military contracts and subsequently deployed to active combat zones. Authorities say many victims were promised lucrative job opportunities or travel arrangements, but instead found themselves entangled in dangerous military engagements.

The Nigerian government has expressed deep concern over these developments, emphasizing the serious risks involved and urging citizens to exercise extreme caution when considering overseas offers—particularly those that appear vague, too lucrative, or involve travel to conflict-affected regions.

In response, the Russian ambassador to Nigeria has denied any official state-sponsored recruitment of foreign nationals, stating that the Russian government does not run such programs. However, he acknowledged that unauthorized individuals or criminal networks may be exploiting vulnerable people through illegal recruitment schemes.

The warning comes amid growing reports of Nigerian nationals losing their lives in the conflict, as well as rising awareness on social media, where testimonies and videos have surfaced highlighting the experiences of Africans caught in the war.

Nigerian authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting citizens abroad and have urged anyone approached with suspicious offers to report immediately, stressing that no job opportunity is worth risking one’s life in a foreign conflict.