Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Thursday it has broken up an international migrant smuggling network allegedly headed by a Nigerian university instructor based in Moscow.
The FSB stated that the group specialized in facilitating illegal entry and transit of African immigrants through Russian territory into European Union countries. “The illegal activities of an interregional group specializing in the paid entry and transit of immigrants from the African continent through Russian territory to EU countries have been thwarted,” the agency told state-run news agency TASS.
According to the FSB, the ring’s alleged leader is a senior lecturer at the engineering academy of the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN). While his name was not disclosed, authorities confirmed the detention of five key members of the network, including Russian, Nigerian, and Ukrainian nationals.
The smuggling operation reportedly generated at least 60 million rubles ($650,000) since 2021 by providing fake Russian residence papers and visas through fictitious marriages and paternity documents.
During 25 raids conducted in the Vladimir region, the FSB claimed to have rescued three Russian nationals who were allegedly held captive and exploited by the smugglers. These individuals have been turned over to local police.
Footage released by TASS showed FSB agents conducting searches and interrogations, including one where a man admitted to entering a fictitious marriage with a Nigerian woman.
This operation comes in the wake of Finland’s decision last year to close its border with Russia, accusing Moscow of using migrants from Africa and the Middle East in a “hybrid attack” – allegations the Kremlin has denied.
The FSB stated that investigations are ongoing to identify other possible accomplices in the smuggling network.
