The Digest:
Ukraine's defence intelligence has identified two Nigerian nationals, Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 38, who were killed while allegedly fighting for Russia in the ongoing war. According to a statement, both men signed contracts with the Russian Army in the second half of 2025, Kolawole on August 29 and Udoka on September 28, and served in the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment. Udoka reportedly received no military training before deployment; Kolawole likely also lacked training records. Both were killed in late November by a drone strike during an attempted raid on Ukrainian positions in Luhansk. Ukraine's intelligence warned foreign citizens against travelling to Russia, citing the risk of being forced into "suicide" assault units. The Russian ambassador to Nigeria has previously dismissed similar reports.
Key Points:
- The deaths highlight the tragic consequences for Nigerians recruited under false pretences into foreign conflicts.
- It exposes the human cost of shadowy recruitment networks luring vulnerable Africans with fake civilian job offers.
- The victims' families in Nigeria now bear the grief of preventable loss, while recruiters face no accountability.
- This signals the expansion of Russia's foreign fighter recruitment into African nations, including Nigeria.
- The timing, following CNN's investigation, reinforces urgent calls for government intervention and public awareness.
The Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to investigate these recruitment networks and protect its citizens from being exploited as cannon fodder in foreign wars.
Sources: The Cable, CNN
