By FELICIA IMOHIMI

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned the alleged deceptive recruitment and exploitation of young African women, including Nigerians, under the Russian Alabuga Start Programme.

The organisation called for an urgent investigation by the Federal Government and international bodies, according to its Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, in a statement on Thursday.

Mamedu alleged that the women were lured with promises of education, professional training and well-paid jobs in Russia but ended up working under unsafe conditions, with reports linking them to military drone production.

He also raised concern over allegations linking Konstantin Trifonov, a senior recruiter associated with the programme, to Telegram channels reportedly promoting child sexual abuse material.

“While these allegations must be independently and thoroughly investigated, their seriousness demands urgent attention from the Federal Government and international authorities.

“Any involvement in producing, possessing, distributing or promoting child sexual abuse material is a grave violation of children’s rights and must be met with accountability under the law,” he said.

Mamedu said the recruitment should also be viewed within the context of Nigeria’s “Japa” phenomenon, where many young people seek opportunities abroad due to unemployment and insecurity.

He called on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other relevant agencies to investigate recruitment activities linked to the Alabuga Start Programme in Nigeria.

He also urged the authorities to identify Nigerians enrolled in the programme and provide them with consular, legal and psychosocial support, including voluntary repatriation where necessary.

Mamedu further called for stricter regulation of foreign recruitment agencies and online job advertisements targeting young Nigerians.

He urged ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union, INTERPOL and Russian authorities to support a coordinated investigation, preserve digital evidence, protect victims and pursue legal action against Trifonov, the Alabuga Start Programme and any other entities found culpable.

Citing World Bank data, Mamedu said 63 per cent of Nigerians lived below the national poverty line in 2025, while an additional seven million people fell into poverty.

“Poor economic conditions, unemployment and limited opportunities create an environment in which deceptive recruiters prey on the hopes of young Nigerians seeking a better future.

“The responsibility must never be placed on the victims,” he said.

Mamedu said ActionAid, through its RECONNECT Project, works with returning migrants, including survivors of trafficking.

He cited International Organisation for Migration (IOM) data indicating that 14,787 Nigerians returned safely in 2025, while another 7,825 had been assisted by June 2026.

“Since 2017, more than 65,700 Nigerians have returned, with over 52,200 receiving reintegration support. Many return with trauma, debt and stigma,” he said.

Mamedu reaffirmed ActionAid’s solidarity with women, young people and returning migrants who had experienced trafficking, exploitation or abuse.

He called for a survivor-centred response that protects victims’ identities, rejects stigma and guarantees access to justice, recovery and sustainable reintegration.

The Alabuga Start Programme is operated through Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan and has recruited young women from several African, Asian and Latin American countries for factory jobs.

In recent months, international media investigations and human rights organisations have alleged that some recruits were misled about the nature of the work and later assigned to factories involved in producing components for military drones used in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The reports also alleged that some workers were subjected to poor working conditions and had limited freedom to leave their jobs after arriving in Russia.

Russian authorities have maintained that the programme provides legal employment opportunities.

The allegations have drawn international attention and prompted calls from rights groups for independent investigations into the recruitment process, labour conditions and the treatment of foreign workers participating in the programme. (NAN)

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