Russia rejects claims of recruiting Nigerians to fight in Ukraine
By Jeffrey Agbo
Russia has denied claims that it is recruiting Nigerians to fight in the war in Ukraine, insisting that any such activity, if it exists, is not connected with the government.
The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while responding to reports that Nigerians had been recruited to fight on the frontlines.
Reports and videos have alleged that some Nigerians and other Africans were recruited under the pretext of security jobs in Russia and later deployed to the war front after brief training.
Denying any official involvement in this, Podyolyshev said, “There is no government-supported programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in Ukraine. If there are illegal organisations or individuals trying to recruit Nigerians by unlawful means, this is not connected with the Russian state.”
He said Moscow was ready to investigate any credible information.
“If anybody has this information, we are ready to send it to Russian law enforcement authorities so they can investigate those cases,” he added.
Podyolyshev also questioned reports by Western media, including a recent CNN investigation, which alleged that some Nigerians were deceived into joining the conflict.
“You are receiving information from Western sources. Their main task is to demonise Russia. If you want to know the real situation, you should send journalists to Russia to understand what is really happening,” the Ambassador said.
While acknowledging that some Nigerians may be in the conflict zone, he maintained there was no official Russian policy behind it.
“There are such Nigerians, I know, but there is no government-supported programme to recruit them. If there are agencies, including Russian agencies, violating Russian law, we are ready to transmit this information to our law enforcement authorities,” he said.
On Security and military cooperation, he said Russia and Nigeria were discussing closer defence ties, including arms supplies and training.
“We are discussing the possibilities of supplying Russian weaponry and training military personnel in Russia, maybe here in Nigeria. We are ready to develop cooperation with Nigeria in the military field to the extent the Nigerian side wishes.
“This strengthens Nigeria’s ability to fight terrorism and piracy,” he said.
The ambassador also called for stronger economic engagement between both countries, noting that the last session of the Russia–Nigeria Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was held about 10 years ago.
