A heartbreaking new investigation has revealed that at least 36 Nigerians were recruited to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to a report titled "The Business of Despair," published in February 2026, many of these young men were lured by fake promises of good jobs or scholarships, only to be forced onto the battlefield.
Sadly, five Nigerian men have been confirmed dead. They are Abdoulaye Issaka Ismael (27), Agbo Moses Omale (43), Adamu Abdulai Ismail (25), Mikael (47), and Fajobi Taiwo Omoniyi (50).
Recruiters used social media (TikTok, Instagram, Telegram) to show off luxury cars and Moscow skyscrapers. They promised salaries of up to $2,500 a month and Russian citizenship.
Once they arrived, many were forced to sign military contracts. Instead of "security work," they were sent to high-risk areas as "cannon fodder" (expendable soldiers).
Many survivors reported that they were never paid the full amount promised, with some receiving nothing at all.
Message Us