- Safiu Kehinde
A Nigerian security expert, Deji Adesogan, has raised alarm over recruitment of Nigerian immigrants to fight Russia-Ukraine war as disclosed how a mechanic was deceived into joining the Russian Force and deployed to war front.
Adesogan made the disclosure in a post shared on his X handle on Saturday.
He narrated the ordeal of a 36-year-old mechanic, Bankole Manchi, who left Lagos in expectation of a legitimate overseas job earning about N500,000 monthly.
As against his expectation , Manchi arrived in Russia where he was handed over to unidentified men and taken to a military-style camp instead of a workplace.
“He met recruits from Nigeria, Ghana, France, Brazil, and China, many struggling with language barriers and relying on translation apps.
“Training quickly escalated from drills to weapons handling, grenade practice, and night operations.
Injured recruits were allegedly forced to continue despite pain.
“Manchi says they were later moved into Ukrainian territory, where heavy gunfire erupted immediately.
“He was shot in the leg and survived days with minimal food and water before receiving medical care.
“He described African recruits as
“disposable fighters” in a war they never agreed to join.” Adesogan wrote.
The security expert noted the emergence of similar stories from Uganda and Kenya.
Adesogan cited a research which identified some of the companies’ responsible for the recruitment of the African migrants as well as the route used in trafficking the migrants to Russia.
“One Ugandan man said he and others were promised civilian jobs in supermarkets, airports, and security firms but were instead kept under armed guard in underground shelters with poor living conditions.
“He eventually escaped and surrendered to Ukrainian forces, who confirmed his identity.
“Researcher Sholla Ard alleges a recruitment network targeting young Africans. Companies like ST3 Metal LLC reportedly issued short-term employment letters to help recruits get visas, only to coerce them into military service.
“Some recruits are still missing, while others may have died in combat.
“Travel routes allegedly included Juba, Nairobi, and Turkey, making the network harder to trace.
“Human rights groups are calling for urgent investigations by African governments, the UN, and international organisations. Russia and the company involved yet to respond.” He added.