Russia Denies Recruiting Nigerians for Suicide Drone Factories

The Russian government has denied allegations that young Nigerian women were lured into suicide drone factories in Russia under the pretense of scholarships, labeling the reports as false and Western-funded disinformation.

In a statement from the Russian Embassy, the allegations were dismissed as “colonial in nature” and a media smear campaign. The embassy accused certain Nigerian media outlets and Western journalists of fabricating tales of human trafficking, forced labour, and even prostitution at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tatarstan.

Despite these denials, investigations by international outlets such as the Associated Press and People’s Gazette allege that Nigerian women, aged 18–22, were recruited under a vocational program, only to end up assembling Iranian-made drones for Russia’s war against Ukraine—often in harsh conditions and without proper oversight.

The Nigerian government also disavowed any connection, stating that it never authorized or supported the recruitment of citizens for such roles.

Critics remain concerned, especially after Ukrainian officials warned that such drone facilities are military targets in the ongoing conflict.