Tourist Visa to War Front: Nigerian Cries Out After Alleged Deception Lands Him in Russian Army
By Passman Akpos
A Nigerian citizen, Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention to facilitate his return from Russia, alleging that he was deceived into joining the Russian military after travelling abroad for what he believed was a civilian security job.
Adamu’s predicament was brought to light in a report by security analyst Zagazola Makama, which revealed that his legal representatives have formally notified Nigerian authorities about his situation. The lawyers detailed how Adamu allegedly travelled to Moscow on a tourist visa issued on October 16, 2025, by the Russian Embassy in Abuja after being promised employment as a sentry.
According to the legal team, upon arrival in Russia, Adamu’s travel documents were confiscated and he was compelled to sign enlistment documents written entirely in Russian, without the assistance of an interpreter. It was only later, they claimed, that he realised he had been enlisted into the Russian army.
Adamu is reportedly stranded in a Russian military camp after refusing deployment to combat zones in Ukraine, raising concerns about his safety and wellbeing.
The case comes amid mounting reports of foreign nationals allegedly being lured to Russia with promises of civilian employment, only to be drafted into the military.
On Thursday, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine disclosed that the bodies of two Nigerians were recovered in the Luhansk region, allegedly while fighting on the Russian side of the conflict. The deceased were identified as Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 38, who reportedly died in November 2025, months after joining the Russian army.
A recent investigation also cited claims that Africans from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda were recruited under the pretext of employment as drivers or security guards but were later forced into military service with minimal training before being deployed to frontlines.
Reacting to the allegations earlier in the week, the Embassy of Russia in Nigeria, through Ambassador Andrey Podyelyshev, denied any state-backed recruitment scheme and distanced the Kremlin from the claims.
Adamu’s lawyers have now urged the Federal Government to intervene swiftly, warning that delays could endanger his life. They called for diplomatic engagement to secure his safe return and to investigate the circumstances surrounding his alleged enlistment.
