February 5, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
ABUJA, Nigeria — At least four Nigerian men who travelled to Russia after being offered what they believed were civilian jobs have been killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to family sources and social media reports, while a fifth man who survived is urgently seeking help from the Nigerian government to return home.
The deceased identified in sources as Adam Anas, Akinlawon Tunde Quyuum, Abugu Stanley Onyeka, and Balogun Ridwan Adisa reportedly left Nigeria in November 2025 after being recruited through an agent under the promise of high-paying “security jobs” in Russia. They were issued visas and diverted to a Russian military recruitment process shortly after arrival, according to reports.
Instead of civilian employment, the men underwent military training and were deployed to the Ukraine war front. The group’s ordeal was confirmed through a private messaging channel used by African mercenaries in Russia, and their families say no official notifications were given by Russian authorities about the deaths.
The only known survivor, identified as Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to Nigerian officials for repatriation assistance, saying he was misled into signing enlistment documents written solely in Russian and had his passport confiscated. In a letter from his lawyer, Adamu’s legal team argues that he was recruited under false pretences and deprived of clear information about the contract he signed, which they claim violates principles of fair recruitment and international norms.
Families of the deceased said they first learned of the deaths not from official channels but through other fighters’ posts in the messaging group, prompting concerns that information about casualties is not being shared directly with next of kin.
The men were reportedly promised attractive monthly salaries and benefits before departure conditions that persuaded them to leave Nigeria, where jobs can be hard to find. Once in Russia, however, they were reportedly taken to military facilities and trained before being sent into active conflict zones.
Recruits from African countries working with or near Russian forces have increasingly appeared in coverage of the war, and Ukrainian officials have warned that foreign fighters often face highly dangerous conditions once deployed. Estimates from outside sources suggest that thousands of recruits from multiple African nations have been involved on both sides of the Ukraine war, and some groups warn that many are vulnerable to exploitation or deception in recruitment processes.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not responded to the situation at the time of reporting, though a government spokesperson previously signalled limited awareness of such recruitment trends. Members of the Nigerian diaspora community and legal advocates are urging authorities to step in to secure the safe return of Adamu and to assist families of the deceased.
Observers say this case highlights the risks that can arise when migrants accept overseas opportunities without clear information, particularly into regions affected by conflict, and underscores the need for stronger public awareness and government engagement on recruitment practices abroad.