By Frontline Reporters
No fewer than 36 Nigerians were reportedly recruited to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine, with at least five deaths confirmed.
The disclosure is contained in a February 2026 investigative report by All Eyes on Wagner titled “The Business of Despair: The Russian Army’s Recruiting of African Fighters.” The report details how young men from economically vulnerable backgrounds were allegedly lured abroad with promises of jobs or educational opportunities but later compelled into military service.
Drawing on a database of 1,417 African recruits between 2023 and mid-2025, obtained from Ukrainian sources, the report lists Nigerians among foreign fighters deployed in high-risk combat roles. It states that the average age of African recruits is 31.
Among the Nigerian fatalities identified are Abdoulaye Issaka Ismael, 27; Agbo Moses Omale, 43; Adamu Abdulai Ismail, 25; Mikael, 47; and Fajobi Taiwo Omoniyi, 50. The report notes that the overall death toll of 316 African recruits may be higher, describing the figures as non-exhaustive.
The investigation links recruitment activities to networks operating through social media and intermediaries, including travel agencies advertising expedited processing and overseas opportunities. Platforms cited include Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and TikTok, where promotional content allegedly showcased images of affluence and stability in Russia.
Nigeria was named among countries said to have been targeted, alongside South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, and Gambia.
According to the report, recruits were often enticed by offers of signing bonuses, monthly salaries, health insurance, and potential access to Russian citizenship. However, testimonies referenced in the document allege that some of these promises were not fulfilled.
Families Raise Alarm
Relatives of affected Nigerians expressed grief and concern over the revelations. In one account cited, a Nigerian captured by Ukrainian forces alleged that his documents were seized on arrival in Russia and that he was made to sign papers he did not understand.
Separately, Abubakar Adamu recently appealed to Nigerian authorities through legal representatives, seeking repatriation from Russia. His lawyers said he travelled to Moscow on a tourist visa believing he had secured civilian employment but later discovered he had been enlisted in the military. They argued that he did not comprehend the nature of documents presented to him.
Deaths Reported in Luhansk
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine’s Defence Ministry released photographs of two Nigerians — Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole and Mbah Stephen Udoka — reported to have died while fighting for Russia in Luhansk. Both men were said to have enlisted in 2025.
Recruitment Allegations and Denial
The report alleged that certain agencies in Nigeria facilitated travel linked to recruitment. One Port Harcourt-based firm was mentioned. The company has not publicly responded to the claims.
Earlier, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, denied knowledge of any state-backed programme to recruit Nigerians for the conflict. He stated that any credible information would be referred to Russian law enforcement authorities for investigation.
The findings have renewed debate over the risks facing jobseekers pursuing overseas opportunities and the need for stronger safeguards against exploitation.
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2026-02-15
