Former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani, has warned young Nigerians not to be deceived into joining the Russian Army to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Sani issued the warning after a video surfaced online showing a man identified as Obiorah encouraging Nigerians to enlist and travel to Russia for military service.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the former lawmaker urged Nigerians not to fall for such promises or inducements.
He wrote: “I watched a video by one Obiorah who is trying to convince young Nigerians to go to Russia and join the Army. I wish to appeal to our young people not to fall to such enticement or inducement. Don’t join the Russian Army to fight in Ukraine.”
The warning has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media.
An X user, Yakwal Sarbam, supported Sani’s position, stressing that those who take such offers may end up in dangerous battlefields. He recalled a BBC report about a Kenyan athlete who travelled to Russia for a sports competition but was later forced into the war.
“If you join the Russian army be prepared to be shipped to Ukraine where Russians are dying like there is no tomorrow. On BBC,a Kenyan athlete went there for a race quickly found himself fighting in Ukraine. He was lucky the Ukrainians captured him and he is in their custody,” he wrote.
However, another user, Bob Ekat, argued that many Nigerians are driven by poverty and hopelessness, which makes them vulnerable to such offers.
“Sadly, when people are hungry and almost hopeless, they’ll hold onto anything that looks like an opportunity.
“For a Nigerian without a job, getting into the Russian or US army is an elevation big enough for them to gather their village people for a party,” Ekat stated.
The development comes at a time when Nigeria is facing high unemployment and economic hardship, leaving many youths desperate for survival.