Thursday, June 27, 2024 -Adam Mohammad Bakur Mohammad Ibrahim, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, has been seeking Russian citizenship since May 2024.
He joined
the Skif Cossack battalion in November 2023, where he was given the call sign
'Vanka' and participated in special military operations (SVO) as a member of
the unit.
In
December 2023, Russian media featured a story on Vanka, a Nigerian national who
had captured a Ukrainian soldier, as seen in a video posted online, RT reports.
After
completing his six-month contract, Adam returned to Voronezh, where he had
previously studied at the Academy of Sports. He hoped to resume his studies and
obtain Russian citizenship, but faced obstacles in acquiring a Russian
passport.
Seeking
assistance, Ibrahim reached out to RT. His journey in Russia began in September
2023, when he enrolled in the Voronezh State Academy of Sports. Two months
later, in November 2023, he took a leave of absence from his studies to join
the special military operation (SVO), with the academy's consent.
“In
November 2023, I wanted to volunteer for the Northern Military District,” Adam told
RT. “I went because I wanted to stay in Russia after studying and
become a citizen of this country.”
As a
non-Russian citizen, Adam was unable to enter into a contract directly with the
Ministry of Defense. However, there is a legal workaround for foreign nationals
who wish to support Russia's military efforts: they can sign an agreement with
an organization authorized to carry out tasks assigned to the Russian Armed
Forces in the Northern Military District.
Adam
enlisted in the Skif Cossack battalion, which is part of the Terek Cossack
brigade, and was given the call sign 'Vanka' during his service.
Adam signed
the agreement on November 11, 2023, and was initially assigned as a shooter.
However, he
quickly demonstrated his versatility and acquired an additional skillset as a
UAV operator while on the front lines. During his deployment, Adam participated
in combat missions in the Soledar direction, earning a reputation as an
exemplary warrior, as noted by the chief of staff of the Skif DRO in his
official description of Adam's service.
The
document reads, “During his participation in the special operation for
the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine and being in the Adam
Mohammad Bakur detachment, Mohammad Ibrahim with the call sign Vanka, in the
position of shooter, established himself as a responsible, courageous,
conscientious, strong-willed, disciplined warrior.
“In the performance of his patriotic duty, he performed combat missions,
despite the conditions directly associated with the risk of life. During the
period of a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine for the
specified period, as part of the 35th separate volunteer detachment
"Skif" repeatedly participated in hostilities in direct contact with
the enemy on the front line of defense of the detachment. He enjoys
well-deserved authority and respect within the team.”
When Adam's
contract with Skif expired on May 4, 2024, he returned to Voronezh, planning to
resume his studies and expecting to do so as a newly minted citizen of the
Russian Federation, having hoped to have his citizenship application processed
during his time away fighting.
While Adam
was serving on the front lines, President of the Russian Federation's Decree
No. 10, dated January 4, 2024, came into effect.
The decree
stipulates the conditions for foreign citizens, like Adam, who have signed a
military service contract with the Russian Armed Forces or affiliated military
formations, and their family members, to be admitted to Russian citizenship
According
to the presidential decree, Adam is eligible for simplified Russian
citizenship, allowing him to bypass the usual naturalization process and gain
citizenship through a more expedited route.
Despite
being eligible for simplified citizenship under the presidential decree, Adam's
efforts to obtain Russian citizenship have been met with failure so far.
The young man alleges that he sought assistance at the Voronezh EMC, but was left without guidance or support. Meanwhile, returning to his home country of Nigeria has become a risky proposition for Adam, as he faces potential imprisonment for mercenary activities.
Adam said, “I stayed on the front line for six months, my contract expired on May 4.“Now I have a problem with obtaining citizenship. For now I am in Voronezh and continue to study at VGAS. At home they could arrest me, they could give me 20 years in prison''
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