European Union officials have issued a sharp warning about the increasing Recruitment Of Nigerians For Russia-Ukraine Conflict, highlighting a dangerous trend that preys on vulnerable African youth.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, cautioned that deceptive promises of high-paying jobs, scholarships, and citizenship are being used to lure unsuspecting young Nigerians into active combat zones.
During a high-level briefing, Ambassador Isopi revealed that foreign actors are exploiting economic hardship to recruit Nigerian youths under false pretenses. Intelligence indicates that these operations often masquerade as legitimate employment opportunities in construction or security sectors across Eastern Europe. Recruits are reportedly subjected to passport confiscation and coerced into binding military contracts upon arrival.
“This is not merely a security issue; it is a profound humanitarian concern,” Isopi stressed, noting that these practices violate both international labor and human rights standards. She urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen oversight of travel agencies and online platforms facilitating suspicious migrations, aiming to protect the nation’s human capital from exploitation by foreign mercenary groups.
Reports suggest that recruiters often provide upfront cash incentives to families, making offers difficult for economically disadvantaged youths to resist. Yet, many end up deployed in high-risk areas of the Donbas region with little or no military training. Sources indicate that these recruits are frequently treated as disposable frontline forces, leading to severe casualties that remain largely unreported.
The European Union has called for a coordinated approach between African governments and the international community to dismantle the financial and logistical networks sustaining these recruitment operations.
Additionally, the EU pledged support for Nigeria in expanding vocational training and strengthening laws against human trafficking for military purposes. Security experts warn that involvement in foreign conflicts could increase risks of radicalization and the return of combat-experienced individuals who might threaten local stability.
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As the Nigerian government ramps up efforts through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), public awareness campaigns and stricter border controls are being emphasized to prevent further exploitation.
The EU’s intervention serves as a critical measure to safeguard Nigeria’s youth from becoming unwilling pawns in a war far removed from their national interests.
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