ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to investigate the alleged exploitation of young Nigerian women recruited under Russia’s Alabuga Start Programme, following reports that participants are deceived with promises of education, professional training and well-paid jobs.

The organisation expressed concern that some of the recruits were allegedly subjected to unsafe working conditions and involved in the production of military drones after arriving in Russia.

In a statement signed by ActionAid Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, the organisation decried reports linking Konstantin Trifonov, a senior recruiter associated with the programme, to Telegram channels allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material.

It said although the allegations require independent investigation, they are serious enough to warrant urgent action by Nigerian and international authorities.

They maintained that any involvement in the production, possession, distribution or promotion of child sexual abuse material constitutes a grave violation of children’s rights and should be met with legal accountability.

The organisation said through its Reintegration and Empowerment for Connecting and Nurturing Opportunities of Vulnerable Populations and Returning Migrants (RECONNECT) Project, it had supported returning migrants, survivors of trafficking, vulnerable women, internally displaced persons and survivors of domestic violence.

According to the organisation, the experiences of beneficiaries reveal the physical, psychological, social and economic consequences of deceptive recruitment and exploitation, with many victims returning home traumatised, indebted and stigmatised.

Citing data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), ActionAid said 14,787 Nigerians returned home safely through the agency’s programmes in 2025, while another 7,825 had been assisted by June 2026. It added that since 2017, more than 65,700 Nigerians have returned safely, with over 52,200 receiving reintegration support.

Mamedu regretted that poverty, unemployment and limited economic opportunities continue to expose young Nigerians to deceptive recruiters.

He stressed that victims should not be blamed for falling prey to traffickers, insisting that those responsible for trafficking and exploitation must be investigated and prosecuted.

He said the reported recruitment should also be viewed within the context of the growing “Japa” trend, which has seen many young Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad.

While acknowledging that migration was a legitimate choice, he warned that worsening economic conditions, unemployment, insecurity and weak regulation of foreign recruitment had increased the vulnerability of many Nigerians to trafficking and exploitation.

He also cited World Bank estimates showing that 63 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line in 2025 after an additional seven million people fell into poverty during the year.