The Digest:
Ukraine's military intelligence has released documents allegedly detailing the contracts of two Nigerians, Hamzat Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Udoka, 38, who died fighting for Russia in the Luhansk region. According to the documents, Kolawole signed a contract on August 29, 2025, and Udoka on September 28, 2025. The contract shown to Kolawole warned that refusal to sign would result in detention, months in prison, permanent entry ban, and reimbursement of travel costs. It stated deployment to a "stormtrooper unit" for one year. Udoka's documents confirmed service in Military Unit 91701 from October 3, 2025. Both were killed in late November by a drone strike. The Russian ambassador has denied state-backed recruitment, but Ukraine warned foreigners against travelling to Russia, citing risk of being forced into "suicide" assault units.
Key Points:
- The documents suggest coercive recruitment tactics, contradicting claims of voluntary service.
- Nigerian families and communities face devastating loss from hidden conflicts far from home.
- Victims' families bear grief, while alleged recruiters and the Russian state face international scrutiny.
- This signals the exploitation of vulnerable Africans through deceptive job promises and coercive contracts.
- The timing, following CNN and BBC investigations, reinforces urgent calls for government intervention.
The Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to investigate these recruitment networks and protect citizens from being exploited in foreign conflicts.
Sources: Premium Times, Ukraine Defence Intelligence
