Nigeria's foreign ministry has issued an urgent warning about illegal recruitment of its citizens to fight in foreign wars. This follows reports that two Nigerians were found dead in Ukraine, though Nigeria has not confirmed these deaths. Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said, "several Nigerians who have fallen victim to such unfortunate situations were deployed to combat zones after being misled and coerced into signing military service contracts." Nigerians have reportedly been promised good jobs, security work, education, or migration benefits but are forced into active combat instead. Some were made to sign contracts in foreign languages without legal help, and had their travel documents taken. Travel was sometimes arranged via tourist visas. Ebienfa warned Nigerians against such offers, stating they endanger lives and may break Nigerian and international laws on mercenary activity. The government is investigating and boosting awareness, with diplomatic missions instructed to provide strong consular support. Ukrainian intelligence says over 1,400 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine has also faced criticism for recruiting foreign nationals. African governments are warning citizens and working to bring back those deceived. South Africa recently announced that Russia's Putin pledged help to return South Africans who joined Russian forces in Ukraine. Retired Nigerian military expert Maj Bashir Galma told the BBC, "Even during the Yugoslavia issues many years ago, we had that problem and it is sad that our youth are falling into these traps and losing their lives to a war that means nothing to them."