Nigerian Man Appeals for Repatriation After Alleged Forced Enlistment in Russian Military

A Nigerian citizen, Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria for urgent 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 opportunity.

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 international passport and travel documents were allegedly confiscated, and he was reportedly compelled to sign enlistment documents written entirely in Russian without the assistance of an interpreter.

His lawyers stated that he later discovered the documents had effectively enrolled him into the Russian Armed Forces, despite having no intention of joining the military. In a formal petition submitted to Nigerian authorities, the legal team invoked the legal doctrine of Non Est Factum, arguing that Adamu did not understand the nature or implications of the contract he signed.

They further alleged fundamental misrepresentation, claiming he was misled into military service under false pretences. The petition also raised concerns about possible violations of international law, including forced conscription, coercion, and deprivation of personal liberty.

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Adamu is reportedly being held at a Russian military camp and has refused deployment to combat zones in Ukraine, where Russia has been engaged in ongoing military operations since 2022. His lawyers have demanded that Russian authorities immediately halt any deployment process, return his seized documents, and facilitate his safe return to Nigeria.

The case comes amid growing international reports that African nationals are being recruited into the Russian military under questionable circumstances. A previous investigative report by CNN revealed that citizens from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and other African countries were allegedly lured with promises of high salaries, signing bonuses, and pathways to Russian citizenship.

According to the investigation, many recruits were reportedly given minimal training and deployed to combat zones in Ukraine, with allegations of coercion, racial abuse, and inhumane treatment emerging from multiple testimonies.

Last year, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, disclosed that more than 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries were fighting for Russia in Ukraine, with some reportedly captured as prisoners of war. Similarly, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirmed that over 200 Kenyan nationals might have been drawn into the conflict through deceptive online recruitment schemes.

The precise number of Nigerians involved or killed in the conflict remains unclear, and Russian authorities have not officially confirmed casualties among foreign recruits.

Responding to earlier allegations, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyelyshev, denied that the recruitment of Nigerians into the war effort was state-sponsored. He stated at a press conference in Abuja that there is no official government programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine, adding that any illegal actors involved would be operating independently of the Russian state.

As of the time of filing this report, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue a formal statement on Adamu’s case. However, civil society organisations and family members are urging swift diplomatic engagement to secure the release and repatriation of Nigerians allegedly trapped in the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Adamu’s case has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of African job seekers to international recruitment scams, particularly in regions affected by armed conflict.

Nigerian Man Appeals for Repatriation After Alleged Forced Enlistment in Russian Military

US Congress Seeks Cooperation With Nigeria to Stop Chinese Mining Funding Militias

A new United States congressional bill has proposed measures to counter the alleged illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria and their role in financing Fulani militias, raising concerns over security, religious freedom, and regional stability. The legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by five Republican lawmakers: Riley Moore, Chris Smith, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.

The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to work with the Nigerian government to address what lawmakers describe as the “hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations” and their alleged payments of “protection money” to Fulani militias. It further recommends providing technical support, including disarmament programs and counter-terrorism cooperation, to reduce violence from armed groups in northern and northwest Nigeria.

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Clauses 10 and 11 of the proposed legislation specifically call for:

• Technical assistance to the Nigerian government to reduce and eliminate militia violence, targeting groups that could be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
• Cooperation with Nigerian authorities to counter illegal mining activities that allegedly destabilize communities by funding armed Fulani militias.

The legislation also urges collaboration with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to promote religious freedom, peace, and accountability in Nigeria. The Secretary of State is tasked with evaluating whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias meet the criteria to be listed as FTOs, a designation that could trigger sanctions, visa restrictions, and asset freezes.

Lawmakers cited a 2023 report by The Times, which alleged that some Chinese nationals operating in Nigeria’s mining sector provided financial support to militant networks in states such as Zamfara, often using bribery or informal transactions to access mineral reserves. The report warned that such activities could indirectly fuel militia violence and insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest region.

The bill is part of a broader U.S. focus on religious freedom, communal violence, and national security in Nigeria. It also includes provisions for annual reporting to Congress on U.S. efforts to curb foreign involvement in funding militias and promote accountability for extremist activities.

While supporters argue that the bill strengthens U.S.–Nigeria cooperation to promote peace, security, and accountability, critics caution that allegations of militia funding by Chinese mining operators must be carefully investigated and verified to avoid misrepresentation or diplomatic tension.

US Congress Seeks Cooperation With Nigeria to Stop Chinese Mining Funding Militias

Umahi Vows to Quit if Road Project Fails Independent Quality Test

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has pledged to resign if the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road project does not meet required quality standards after independent testing. Umahi made the bold declaration while defending the Federal Ministry of Works’ ₦3.4 trillion budget proposal before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, stressing accountability and the importance of high-quality infrastructure delivery.

During the session, lawmakers raised concerns over the award of a section of the highway to a company reportedly unfamiliar in road construction, with some questioning the firm’s reputation and previous experience. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) asked why the contract was withdrawn from a previously established contractor and awarded to another company allegedly linked to unrelated businesses like generator sales.

Responding to the concerns, Umahi dismissed criticisms about the contractor’s background and emphasized the quality of workmanship above public perception. “I’m just hearing about Maikano for the first time. Whether they are selling goats or cows, they are doing well. I am satisfied with the quality of work on the Abuja–Kaduna stretch, and I challenge you to an inspection. Bring the best of your concrete testers. If it fails, I will throw in the towel,” the minister said.

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The minister further highlighted that proper supervision and engineering oversight are key to durable infrastructure, stressing that failures in asphalt or concrete roads often stem from poor monitoring rather than the choice of material.

Budget Defence and Funding Concerns

Umahi also used the National Assembly session to raise concerns about the capital funding structure for federal projects, describing the cash plan adopted by the Federal Ministry of Finance as limiting the effectiveness of the Ministry of Works. He noted that over 95% of projects under his supervision are ongoing, making consistent and adequate capital releases critical for timely completion and quality assurance.

The budget defence session was marked by tension, with lawmakers and the minister engaging in heated exchanges over procedural conduct and lines of questioning. At one point, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North Central) objected to attempts to curtail his remarks, while senior lawmakers, including Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), intervened to restore order.

Strategic Importance of the Highway

The Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road is a key federal transport corridor connecting central and northern Nigeria. The project aims to enhance trade, freight movement, and regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and improve road safety for commuters and commercial operators. Sections of the highway were reassigned to new contractors to expedite completion and ensure long-lasting infrastructure standards.

Umahi’s public pledge to resign if the project fails independent testing reflects a rare commitment to accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s federal infrastructure projects. Experts say such a stance could set a precedent for rigorous quality assurance and oversight across similar national initiatives.

Umahi Vows to Quit if Road Project Fails Independent Quality Test