Nigeria’s foreign ministry on Sunday warned citizens against fraudulent overseas recruitment schemes after confirming that several Nigerians had been killed or trapped in foreign armed conflicts following deceptive job offers.
In a statement issued by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, the ministry described what it called a growing pattern of “predatory recruitment” targeting young Nigerians seeking work or education abroad.
Government raises alarm over recruitment networks
The ministry said criminal networks were luring Nigerians with promises of lucrative security contracts, teaching jobs and educational scholarships in foreign countries. Some victims were reportedly offered fast-tracked citizenship or simplified residency procedures as incentives.
Upon arrival, however, individuals allegedly faced coercive conditions, including pressure to sign military service contracts drafted in foreign languages without legal counsel. In several cases, passports and travel documents were confiscated, preventing victims from seeking help from Nigerian diplomatic missions.
The ministry said the deceptive practices had resulted in Nigerians being drawn into active conflict zones without full awareness of the risks.
Legal and diplomatic implications
The federal government said participation in foreign armed conflicts without official authorisation could violate Nigerian law as well as international conventions governing mercenary activity.
The ministry reiterated that all legitimate recruitment for overseas government service, including diplomatic appointments, is conducted exclusively through the Federal Civil Service Commission. Any recruitment outside that framework should be treated with caution.
It added that citizens who voluntarily join foreign militaries or armed groups outside recognised legal channels do so “at their own risk” and may not be entitled to the full protection of the Nigerian state.
Confirmed casualties in Ukraine
The warning followed confirmed reports of Nigerian casualties in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. According to official sources and Ukrainian military intelligence, two Nigerian nationals – Hamzat Kolawole and Mbah Udoka – were killed in the Luhansk region while fighting for Russian forces.
Nigerian authorities said the circumstances surrounding their recruitment were under investigation as possible cases of exploitation. Reports indicate the two men signed military contracts in mid-to-late 2025.
Call for vigilance
The ministry urged Nigerians to exercise extreme caution when considering overseas employment or study offers and to verify opportunities directly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) before travelling.
Officials said heightened awareness and due diligence were essential to preventing further casualties and pledged continued investigations into fraudulent recruitment networks operating internationally.
