A former Nigerian Navy seaman, Adamu Abubakar, was allegedly deceived into travelling to Russia for a security job but was instead enlisted into the Russian military and deployed to the war involving Ukraine, an experience that has reportedly left him battling serious psychological challenges.
Abubakar reportedly completed travel documentation at the Russian Embassy in Nigeria in 2025 after a Lagos-based agent promised him a dollar-paying security position abroad. However, the job he expected allegedly did not exist.
Upon arrival in Russia, he was reportedly diverted from regular immigration procedures alongside other travellers and forced to surrender his travel documents. They were then transported to an undisclosed location under strict supervision.
His wife, Hadiza Abubakar, said he became alarmed after noticing he was not processed through the normal airport immigration channel. She said he later informed her that officials pressured them to sign documents written in Russian without any interpreter present.
According to her, communication with her husband became limited after he was enlisted as a contract soldier. Abubakar had travelled from Nigeria through Cotonou and Cairo before arriving in Russia and reportedly paid about $3,000 during his visa processing.
Reports have linked similar cases to wider recruitment efforts targeting Africans with promises of employment, education and residency opportunities abroad. Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence recently announced the recovery of two Nigerians believed to have died while fighting for Russia.
Family sources disclosed that Abubakar’s condition worsened after months of deployment, leading to a mental health crisis. Medical records reportedly indicated symptoms linked to anxiety, depression and severe emotional distress.
The documents also showed he experienced sleep problems, nightmares and fear of returning to combat duties. His wife said he had not received the promised monthly salary since his enlistment and struggled to maintain contact with his family.
In a bid to secure his return, a legal practitioner, Abu Sulaiman, petitioned the Russian Embassy in Nigeria in January, requesting his urgent repatriation. He argued that the circumstances surrounding the recruitment suggested lack of proper disclosure.
The embassy, however, denied having any information about Abubakar despite documents showing he was issued a visa in October 2025. It advised that enquiries should be directed to Nigeria’s embassy in Moscow.
Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have warned citizens against accepting offers connected to foreign armed conflicts. The Nigerian Navy also requested additional information on the case but had yet to issue an official response as of press time.
Source: FIJ
