Ukraine says another Nigerian killed ‘fighting for Russia’

Ukraine has flagged the death of another Nigerian reportedly killed while fighting against Ukrainian forces as a Russian mercenary. According to The Cable, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, in a statement on Thursday, identified the Nigerian as Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, born on April 28, 1992. Victor was said to hail from Ilutitun in Ondo State. The front […]

Ukraine has flagged the death of another Nigerian reportedly killed while fighting against Ukrainian forces as a Russian mercenary.

According to The Cable, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, in a statement on Thursday, identified the Nigerian as Ayebusiwa Olabode Victor, born on April 28, 1992.

Victor was said to hail from Ilutitun in Ondo State.

The front page of the Nigerian’s passport was attached to the statement.

Ukrainian authorities said he was killed in the Kharkiv region near the settlement of Hrafske.

According to the statement, Victor signed the mercenary contract in late February — just one week after Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens against illegal recruitment into foreign armed conflicts, citing rising cases of Nigerians allegedly being lured abroad under false pretences and forced into combat roles.

Before the warning, Ukraine said it discovered the bodies of two Nigerians in its Luhansk region, who were allegedly fighting on Russia’s side in the ongoing four-year war.

Russia has repeatedly denied allegations of covertly recruiting Nigerians and other Africans for the war, calling them unfounded.

According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 215 Nigerians have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence, with no fewer than 25 of them killed or considered missing in action.