SUNTV Global Channel Report
A Nigerian engineer previously reported killed while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war has been found alive after being captured by Ukrainian forces, in a shocking twist that has raised fresh concerns about the alleged recruitment of Nigerians into foreign conflicts.
The man, Balogun Adisa Ridwan, had travelled to Russia in search of job opportunities but was later listed among Nigerians believed to have died on the battlefield. His name circulated widely in media reports earlier this month alongside three others — Adam Anas, Akinlawon Tunde Kuyum, and Abugu Stanley Onyeka — who were said to have been recruited under false pretences and sent to fight.
However, new findings reveal that Ridwan is alive. He was captured by Ukrainian troops near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region on January 13, 2026, after surrendering at the front line.
Speaking from captivity, Ridwan said he travelled to Russia on a tourist visa hoping to secure work as an engineer or mechanic. Instead, he claimed he was misled and forced into military service after signing documents he could not understand due to language barriers.
According to him, his phone was confiscated and no translator was provided when he was made to sign the papers.
“The day we signed the contract, I didn’t understand the language. They didn’t allow us to use our phones to translate,” he said. “I thought they would put me in my field. I didn’t know they would use me for war.”
Ridwan said he and another foreign recruit surrendered immediately upon encountering Ukrainian troops, describing his treatment in custody as humane.
He explained that Ukrainian soldiers provided them with warm clothing, food, and shelter, adding that the capture ultimately saved his life.
“They treated us well and made sure we were calm. I really appreciate that,” he said.
While he remained in detention, news of his supposed death spread back home in Nigeria after his name appeared in reports allegedly sourced from a secret WhatsApp group linked to African fighters involved in the war.
Now confirmed alive, Ridwan is appealing to the Nigerian government for assistance to return home, insisting he never intended to become a soldier.
“I travelled to Russia to find a job and feed my family. The Russian government fooled me and turned me into a soldier,” he said in an emotional appeal.
His case comes amid growing alarm over reports that some Nigerians have been lured abroad with promises of employment, education, or migration opportunities, only to end up recruited into armed conflicts.
Authorities have warned citizens against participating in foreign wars, stressing the legal and personal risks involved. Officials say investigations are ongoing, while urging families, community leaders, and institutions to educate young Nigerians about deceptive recruitment schemes.
Ridwan’s story now stands as a stark reminder of the dangers facing desperate job seekers abroad — and a dramatic tale of a man who lived to witness his own obituary.
