Security
Nigerian Allegedly Tricked into Russian Military Service Appeals for Repatriation
A Nigerian citizen, Abubakar Adamu, has appealed to the Federal Government for urgent repatriation from Russia after he was allegedly deceived into joining the country’s military.
According to his legal representatives, Adamu was promised a civilian security guard job but had his travel documents confiscated upon arrival and was compelled to sign enlistment papers written in Russian without the assistance of an interpreter. They argued that he did not understand the contents of the contract because of the language barrier and are relying on legal principles including non est factum and claims of fundamental misrepresentation.
His lawyers are demanding that Russian authorities halt any deployment, return his seized documents, and facilitate his immediate return to Nigeria.
The case comes amid growing reports that some African nationals have been recruited into Russia’s military under false pretences, often with promises of high pay and citizenship benefits. Some recruits, according to accounts cited by his representatives, are reportedly sent to combat zones with minimal training and subjected to coercion and racial abuse.
Meanwhile, officials from Ukraine have disclosed that more than 1,400 Africans from 36 countries are currently fighting for Russia, with several captured as prisoners of war.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to publicly respond to Adamu’s appeal, a development that has triggered calls from concerned observers for swift diplomatic intervention.
However, the Embassy of Russia in Nigeria has denied allegations of state-sponsored recruitment, insisting that any such activities are carried out by illegal organizations and not the Russian government.
Professor Abubakar El-Jummah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State, has died while in Boko Haram captivity.
Professor El-Jummah was abducted on March 3, 2025, during travel from Biu to Maiduguri along the Damaturu–Buni Yadi–Biu road. Insurgents later informed his family that he had died after a year in captivity due to illness.
A funeral prayer in absentia was held at the Ngomari Old Airport Juma’at Mosque in Maiduguri, attended by hundreds of sympathizers.
The family expressed gratitude for the support received during this difficult period. Details regarding any ransom demands remain unclear.
Residents of three Kwara State communities have been thrown into fear following the circulation of a threat letter allegedly issued by a suspected terrorist group warning of imminent attacks.
According to local sources, the letter, reportedly distributed late Wednesday night, claimed the communities had been identified as targets and vowed to carry out a “major operation” “anytime soon,” sparking widespread alarm among residents.
Residents on Edge
Villagers reported that families were considering fleeing their homes, while others organized night watches and sought temporary refuge in nearby towns. Many parents kept their children from attending school, and businesses reportedly closed early in response to rising anxiety. Community leaders confirmed receiving reports of the letter and held emergency meetings to discuss safety measures. Residents expressed frustration over recurring security threats and called for stronger government protection.
Security Agencies Respond
Spokespersons for the Nigeria Police Force said authorities had been alerted and were assessing the situation. Security patrols were intensified in the affected areas to reassure residents and prevent potential attacks. Officials urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and noted that intelligence gathering is ongoing.
Growing Concerns
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about insecurity in parts of Nigeria, with local leaders calling for the deployment of additional security personnel and surveillance resources to prevent attacks. As of press time, the identity of the group behind the threats had not been confirmed, leaving residents on high alert while awaiting further updates from authorities.
This development underscores the persistent security challenges faced by communities in the region and the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard civilians.
The United States government is reportedly preparing to deploy about 200 troops to Nigeria to support the country’s armed forces with training and operational assistance as they continue campaigns against militant groups.
According to a U.S. official cited by The Wall Street Journal, the soldiers will help strengthen Nigeria’s military capacity through specialised training and collaboration with local forces.
The planned deployment comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump approved airstrikes targeting what he described as Islamic State positions.
Reports indicate that a small number of American military personnel are already in Nigeria, with the U.S. military confirming last week that a limited team had been sent, though it did not disclose the size.
That announcement marked the first public confirmation that U.S. troops were on the ground following airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day.
The additional 200 personnel are expected to reinforce the existing team and work closely with Nigerian forces to enhance their response to militant attacks. The U.S. Africa Command did not immediately comment further on the reported deployment.
Separately, reports suggest the United States has been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from Ghana since late November to monitor security threats.
Washington has in recent months increased pressure on Nigeria over its handling of security challenges, particularly after Trump accused the country of failing to adequately protect Christians from attacks by Islamist militants in the northwest.
Nigerian authorities have rejected the claim, insisting there is no organised persecution of Christians and maintaining that military operations target armed groups irrespective of religion.
Nigeria has battled insurgent violence for about 17 years, with groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) carrying out attacks against both civilians and security personnel.
The country, with a population exceeding 230 million, is almost evenly divided between Christians largely in the south and Muslims, predominantly in the north, and the conflict has affected communities across both faiths.