Nigerian trapped in Russian military camp begs FG for urgent repatriation

 

A Nigerian citizen, Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to the Federal Government for immediate repatriation after alleging that he was deceived into joining the Russian military following a trip to Moscow for what he believed was a civilian job.

According to his legal representatives, Adamu travelled to Russia on a tourist visa issued by the Russian Embassy in Abuja after being promised employment as a civilian security guard. However, upon arrival in Moscow, his travel documents were allegedly seized and he was forced to sign enlistment papers written entirely in Russian without the assistance of an interpreter.

His lawyers said he later discovered that the documents he signed had enrolled him into the Russian Armed Forces.

In a formal notice submitted to Nigerian authorities, the legal team cited the doctrine of Non Est Factum, arguing that Adamu did not understand the nature of the contract he signed. They also alleged fundamental misrepresentation, claiming he was deceived into military service, and raised concerns about violations of international law, including forced conscription and deprivation of personal freedom.

The lawyers said Adamu is currently stranded at a Russian military camp, where he has reportedly refused deployment to combat zones in Ukraine. He is now seeking urgent intervention from the Nigerian government to secure his release and return him safely to his family.

The development comes amid growing reports that African nationals are being recruited into the Russian military under false pretences. A CNN investigation indicated that citizens from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and other countries were allegedly lured with promises of high salaries, signing bonuses and eventual Russian citizenship.

Many of the recruits, according to the report, were forced into military service on arrival, given minimal training and, in some cases, deployed to combat zones against their will. There were also allegations of racial abuse, inhumane treatment and coercion.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, had disclosed last year that more than 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries were fighting for Russia in Ukraine, with many reportedly being held as prisoners of war in Ukrainian camps. Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs also reported that over 200 of its nationals might be in Ukraine after being deceived by online recruitment networks advertising fake jobs.

The exact number of Nigerian casualties remains unknown, and Russia has not formally responded to reports of deaths among foreign recruits.

However, at a press conference in Abuja, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyelyshev, denied that the recruitment was state-sponsored.

“There is no government-backed programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine. If illegal organisations or individuals are involved in such activities, they are acting outside the law and without any connection to the Russian state,” he said, adding that Russia would investigate any reported cases if provided with concrete evidence.

Adamu’s lawyers have formally demanded that Russian authorities halt his military deployment, return his confiscated travel documents and facilitate his repatriation to Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had yet to comment on the appeal, leaving families and civil society groups calling for swift diplomatic action to secure the return of Nigerians allegedly trapped in the conflict.

(ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA)