Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence has announced the death of another Nigerian national, Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, who was reportedly fighting alongside Russian troops in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Key Highlights:
The disclosure was made on Thursday through a statement released by the Ukrainian National News Agency, Ukrinform, and the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.
According to the report, Victor, who was born on April 28, 1992, hailed from Ilutitun in Ondo State.
Ukrainian authorities said he was killed during combat operations in the Kharkiv region near the settlement of Hrafske while engaged in fighting involving Ukrainian troops.
The agency alleged that Victor entered into a mercenary contract with Russian forces in late February 2026, barely a week after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens against illegal recruitment into foreign conflicts.
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According to the statement, several foreign nationals are allegedly recruited with promises of lucrative jobs and quick financial rewards, only to be deployed to the battlefield shortly after arriving in Russia.
“Their story is typical — deception, promises of easy money, a week of training, deployment to the front, and a quick death,” the agency stated.
Ukrainian authorities further claimed that recruitment syndicates target African nationals through social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp.
The report alleged that victims are provided visas and one-way tickets to Russia, but upon arrival in Moscow, their passports are confiscated under the pretext of processing documentation.
According to the intelligence agency, many recruits are later informed that there are no available jobs, no valid visas, and no means of returning home.
The statement added that those affected are often left with limited choices, including deportation with debt, imprisonment, or signing contracts with the Russian military.
Ukraine’s intelligence agency also claimed that no fewer than 215 Nigerians have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence, while about 25 are reportedly dead or missing in action.
The report referenced earlier incidents involving Nigerian nationals allegedly killed under similar circumstances, describing it as part of a growing pattern of foreign recruitment into the conflict.
The Ukrainian agency urged Nigerians to avoid recruitment attempts and stay away from what it described as an illegal war. It also encouraged victims or targets of such recruitment schemes to report through its support channels.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly warned citizens against participating in foreign armed conflicts, stressing that Nigeria is not involved in the Russia-Ukraine war and cautioning against the legal and security implications of joining foreign military operations.
The latest development has renewed concerns over the alleged recruitment of African nationals into the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, which continues with no immediate resolution in sight.
