A Nigerian national, Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene and facilitate his return home from Russia, alleging that he was deceived into joining the Russian military.
Adamu claimed he travelled to Russia for what he believed was a civilian security job but was instead coerced into military service. According to a report by Zagazola Makama, his legal representatives have formally notified Nigerian authorities of his predicament, detailing how he was allegedly misled and forced into enlistment.
The lawyers explained that Adamu travelled to Moscow on a tourist visa issued on October 16, 2025, by the , after being promised employment as a sentry.
However, upon his arrival in Russia, his travel documents were reportedly confiscated. He was allegedly compelled to sign enlistment papers written entirely in Russian, without the assistance of an interpreter. It was only later, according to his legal team, that he realised he had been enlisted into the Russian army.
Adamu is said to be currently stranded in a Russian military camp after reportedly refusing deployment to combat zones in Ukraine. His lawyers expressed fears for his safety and wellbeing, urging Nigerian authorities to act swiftly to secure his safe return.
The development comes amid growing concerns over reports that foreign nationals are being lured to Russia with promises of civilian jobs, only to be drafted into the military.
On Thursday, the disclosed that the bodies of two Nigerians were recovered in the Luhansk region, allegedly while fighting on the Russian side of the conflict.
The deceased were identified as Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 38, who reportedly died in November 2025, months after joining the Russian army.
A recent investigation further alleged that Africans from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda were recruited to Russia under the pretext of employment as drivers or security guards but were later forced into military service with minimal training before being deployed to the frontlines.
Reacting to the allegations earlier in the week, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, , denied any state-backed recruitment scheme and distanced the Kremlin from the claims.
Adamu’s legal representatives have called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene through diplomatic channels, warning that any delay could further endanger his life.
