“They took my passport and made me sign papers I didn’t…” – Nigerian man cries out after being forced into Russian Army

A Nigerian man has called on the Federal Government to intervene after claiming he was tricked into joining the Russian military under false pretenses.

Travelled to Russia for Civilian Job

The man, identified as Abubakar Adamu, reportedly travelled to Moscow on a tourist visa issued on October 16, 2025, by the Russian Embassy in Abuja.

Adamu believed he had secured a civilian job as a sentry, according to reports from Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism publication.

Passport Confiscated and Enlistment Papers Signed

Upon arrival, Adamu’s passport and travel documents were allegedly confiscated.

His legal team claims he was forced to sign enlistment papers written entirely in Russian, without any translation or interpreter, and only later realized he had been drafted into the Russian army.

Refusal to Deploy to Ukraine

Adamu is currently stationed at a Russian military camp and has reportedly refused deployment to combat zones in Ukraine, leaving him in a precarious position far from home.

Wider Concerns About African Nationals in Russia

This case comes amid growing concerns over reports that African nationals are being drawn into Russia’s military under dubious circumstances.

Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence recently reported that two Nigerian men—Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 38—died in the Luhansk region in late November 2025 after allegedly being recruited into the Russian military.

Allegations of Misleading Recruitment

Investigations by CNN and other media outlets suggest that individuals from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda were lured to Russia with promises of civilian employment such as driving or security work.

Some were allegedly coerced into military service and sent to the front lines with minimal preparation.

Russian Government Denies Claims

In response, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyelyshev, denied any involvement of the Kremlin in such recruitment programs, dismissing the allegations earlier this week.

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