‘I was fooled’ – Nigerian man, Balogun declared dead fighting for Russia found alive in Ukraine
Nigerian Man Believed Dead in Ukraine War Found Alive in Captivity
A Nigerian national, Balogun Adisa Ridwan, previously reported dead amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, has been located alive after being captured by Ukrainian forces. Ridwan had traveled to Russia in search of employment but found himself unexpectedly drawn into the war.
In media reports from February, Ridwan was listed among several Nigerians allegedly killed in the conflict, having purportedly been recruited under false pretenses alongside three others—Adam Anas, Akinlawon Tunde Kuyum, and Abugu Stanley Onyeka. They were said to have perished after being sent to the battlefield.
However, Ridwan was captured near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region on January 13, 2026, after surrendering during combat. He later learned of the erroneous reports declaring him dead in Nigeria.
Ridwan recounted a troubling experience of being misled into military service. Initially promised civilian employment, he found himself at a military base where he signed documents he could not comprehend due to language barriers. “The day we were signing the contract, I didn’t understand the language,” he said. “They didn’t allow us to use our phones to translate, so we signed our contracts.”
Amid combat situations, Ridwan and another foreign recruit opted to surrender upon encountering Ukrainian troops. He expressed gratitude for being captured, saying, “I was lucky to be captured by the Ukrainians. They are good people.” He reported humane treatment in custody, receiving food, clothing, and shelter, which he believes saved his life.
Now confirmed alive, Ridwan is seeking permission to return to Nigeria. He maintains that he traveled abroad solely for civilian employment and claims he was deceived into military involvement. “I travelled to Russia on a tourist visa to find a job,” he stated. “The government of Russia grossly fooled me, turned me into a soldier, and sent me to war in Ukraine.”
Ridwan made a direct appeal to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asking for forgiveness. “I left home to feed my family. It did not work out the way I wanted,” he added. “I went to have a job as a mechanic or engineer. The Russian government totally fooled me.”
