The United Kingdom has taken widespread action and imposed sanctions against a shadowy network of traffickers, foreign recruiters and drone suppliers blamed for Moscow’s war in Ukraine and allegedly trafficking vulnerable Nigerians and other nationals to fight in Ukraine.

The UK government on Wednesday said 35 individuals and entities linked to what it described as a “barbaric pipeline” that lures desperate migrants with false promises, only to funnel them into frontline combat or forced labour in Russia’s expanding drone factories have been severely sanctioned.

UK officials noted that recruiters allegedly tied to the Russian have been targeting citizens from countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Iraq and Ivory Coast—offering jobs, education or migration pathways—but ultimately deploying victims to Ukraine under harsh, often deadly conditions.

The notorious Alabuga Start programme, is linked to a sanctioned Russian entity that allegedly channels foreign recruits into drone manufacturing hubs and reports said that in some instances vulnerable Nigerians and nationals of others countries unfortunate to be recruited are sent directly to the battlefield with little or no training and effectively used as “cannon fodder,” according to UK authorities.

“This is exploitation at its most brutal,” UK official Stephen Doughty said, describing the networks as both predatory and integral to sustaining Russia’s war effort. “We are exposing and dismantling the pipelines that traffic vulnerable people and feed illicit components into Putin’s drone factories.”

The sanctions also strike at the technological backbone of Russia’s escalating aerial assaults, a statement from the UK High Commission in Abuja said.

Among those listed is Pavel Nikitin, whose company produces the VT-40—one of the low-cost, mass-produced drones increasingly deployed in attacks across Ukrainian cities. The urgency of the action is underscored by a sharp escalation in drone warfare, the statement added.

In March 2026, Russia reportedly launched more than 200 drones per day—the highest rate since the war with Ukraine began—intensifying strikes on civilian areas and critical infrastructure. Security analysts warn that Moscow’s reliance on cheap, high-volume drone production has reshaped the battlefield and prolonged the conflict.

Nigerian authorities are reportedly disturbed over the alleged role of Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh, identified as a central figure in coordinating the movement of foreign recruits into Russia before their deployment to Ukraine. British officials also said some of those recruited have already died.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja Gill Lever confirmed that Nigerians have been directly affected, warning that the schemes deliberately prey on economic vulnerability.

“These sanctions shine a light on those exploiting innocent Nigerians to sustain an illegal war,” she said, noting that many victims were misled into believing they were securing legitimate opportunities abroad.

Her comments came about following recent warnings by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had warned Nigerian citizens against suspicious overseas job offers linked to the conflict.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties linked to the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to the Federal Government.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu made the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex parte motion to the effect.

Our correspondent reports that though Justice Egwuatu delivered the ruling on April 24, the enrolled order was sighted on Wednesday, May 6.

The affected assets are located across high-value areas in Abuja.

They include four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu; a duplex with penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, MStreet; one standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of flats with 10 units of flats at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

Others are blocks of flats with six units of flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki, Abuja; two blocks with 12 units of flats at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; one standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama, Abuja,

The ninth property is a two-block building, which is currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency, and is located at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, Abuja.

The judge said: “It is hereby ordered as follows: An interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting the properties listed in the schedule attached herein, being properties suspected to be proceeds of some unlawful activities pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for final forfeiture order of the said properties.

“An order of this honourable court is made directing the publication of the interim order under order (1) above for anyone who is interested in the property to appear before this honourable court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Justice Egwuatu also granted the EFCC’s request that the publication of the order shall be made in any two of the following newspapers: Thisday, Guardian, PUNCH, Vanguard, Tribune or Independent Newspapers within seven days from the receipt of the certified true copy of the order.

The judge then adjourned the matter until May 25 for a report of compliance.

The commission had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, filed the application under provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Moving the motion, Atolagbe sought an interim order, forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for a final forfeiture order of the said properties.

He said the properties were suspected to be proceeds of some unlawful activities.

The lawyer urged the court to direct the anti-graft agency to make the publication of the order in any national newspaper for anyone who is interested in the properties to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

Our correspondent  reports that Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has also been mentioned in connection with an alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, though he has not been formally charged in that case and is reportedly still at large.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has  said political activities ahead of the 2027 elections would not distract his administration from delivering good governance in the state.

Otti stated this in his office while receiving members of the Old Students Association of the Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba, who expressed confidence in his re-election and urged him to complete his ongoing projects.

The governor stressed that his administration remained focused on service delivery despite the emerging political climate.

“About 2027, we don’t let it distract us, but you have a point. Primaries will happen within the month, and then elections will be next year. But we know that the Abia people are not stupid.

“They know what is good for them. Because of that, we also know that it’s all about politics. And I’m not too sure that there is someone who would want to throw away what is good,” he said.

Otti expressed confidence that his administration would complete its mandate, attributing the assurance to divine guidance.

“This place is God’s own state. So, at the time that it pleased God, he made changes here.

“And God doesn’t have unfinished business or an unfinished project.

“So, we are confident that we will complete the project that we have been asked to do by Abians,” he added.

The governor commended the alumni for their decision to renovate one of the hostels in their alma mater, describing the move as commendable.

“I want to also thank you for your decision to fix one of the hostels.

“It is a very laudable action that you have done, because you could have as well ignored it. I’m sure there are a lot of members of your school who may not even be coming to these meetings.

“So, I want to congratulate you and encourage you to continue, because your story cannot be told without this school,” Otti said.

He also appreciated the association for choosing Abia as the host of its bi-annual meeting, noting that the decision reflected improved security and development in the state.

Otti disclosed that his administration supported the Geometric Power project to ensure a stable electricity supply, commending the efforts of Prof Bart Nnaji in driving the initiative.

He added that the state had signed an agreement and was at the point of payment to acquire the Umuahia ring-fenced area of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, noting that the move would extend power supply to more local government areas.

“So, there’s excess power. Of course, with an additional turbine, it will be able to generate 188 megawatts. So, the whole idea is to take excess power from Aba to the other eight local governments in Abia Central and Abia North.

“We’ve also set up the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency. And so right now, everything about regulation is within the state. So, we will be detached from the national electricity grid,” he said.

Earlier, the President of the association, Tony Ejieji, commended the governor for his developmental strides, noting that the state had become more peaceful and attractive for events.

He said the association chose Abia for its meeting due to the improved security and ongoing projects across the state, urging the governor to sustain the pace of development.

Ejieji added that the alumni had commenced renovation of a hostel in their alma mater and lauded ongoing infrastructural projects, including the Geometric Power Plant.

Source: Punch