Nigeria, Sept. 15 -- Late last year, the world was alerted to the disturbing news that Russia was recruiting hundreds of young African women, aged 18-22, to manufacture drones in a military-industrial compound called Alabuga, 1,000 km east of Moscow.

Reports also said that the recruits-from at least 15 African countries-were promised good salaries and skills training, but once there, they were often trapped, facing tax deductions, dangerous working conditions, strict surveillance, and difficulties returning home.

In the past six months, a ZAM team in seven African countries, including PREMIUM TIMES in Nigeria, investigated the Russian recruitment exercise-and why so many young Africans take the chance to go, sometimes even after being w...