Nigeria warns citizens against recruitment to fight abroad
The foreign ministry said some Nigerian citizens were deployed to combat zones after being misled and coerced into signing military service contracts.
Nigeria warned its nationals against being recruited for armed conflicts abroad after reports that some were duped into fighting for Russia in Ukraine, as were citizens of other African countries.
The Nigerian foreign ministry in a statement dated Sunday expressed "grave concern over the rising and alarming cases of Nigerian citizens being illegally recruited to participate in foreign armed conflicts", without naming Russia.
"Several Nigerians who have fallen victim to such unfortunate situations were deployed to combat zones after being misled and coerced into signing military service contracts," the ministry statement said.
In recent weeks, reports have indicated that nationals of African countries deceived into travelling for high-paying work in Russia were dying in Ukraine's front lines.
Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi last week announced he would travel to Moscow for talks aimed at "conclusively resolving the matter and identifying sustainable solutions".
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said last week he had discussed with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the return of South Africans lured into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine.
Testimonies have also emerged in Uganda. Ukraine said in November it had identified at least 1,436 persons fighting for Russia who are citizens of 36 African countries