Nigerian Engineer Trapped in Russia-Ukraine War: Balogun Ridwan Says “I Was Fooled” After Capture, Appeals to Tinubu for Rescue

Follow

( 0 Followers )

X

Follow

E-mail : *

Follow Unfollow

A 32-year-old Nigerian mechanical engineer, Balogun Adisa Ridwan, has made an emotional public appeal for rescue after being captured in Ukraine while allegedly fighting on the Russian side of the ongoing war.

In a video circulating widely on social media, Ridwan claims he traveled to Russia on a tourist visa in search of legitimate employment as an engineer or mechanic but was deceived into signing a military contract he did not fully understand.

“I went there for mechanical engineering work, but the Russian government fooled me completely,” he said in the footage. “Many Africans there don’t even know why they are fighting. Luckily for me, I was captured by kind Ukrainians.”

According to Ridwan, after just 16 days of basic military training, he was deployed to the front lines in eastern Ukraine near Lyman in the Donetsk region. On January 13, 2026, he surrendered to Ukrainian forces, reportedly the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade. He described being treated humanely while in custody.

Back home in Nigeria, Ridwan’s name had already appeared in media reports listing Nigerians allegedly killed in the conflict. He stated that he only became aware of reports of his “death” after his capture.

In the same video, Ridwan made a direct appeal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asking the Nigerian government for intervention and repatriation.

“I appeal to my president. Forgive your son. I left Nigeria to feed my family. It did not work the way I wanted. I went for a job as a mechanic or engineer. I was deceived,” he said.

His case highlights a growing concern reported since 2025 — Nigerians and other Africans allegedly lured to Russia with promises of civilian employment opportunities, including security, construction, and engineering roles, only to face pressure to enlist in military service after signing unclear contracts.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously warned citizens to verify overseas job offers thoroughly and avoid recruitment schemes that may expose them to exploitation or danger. As of press time, no official statement has been released regarding Ridwan’s repatriation process.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has now entered its fourth year, with increasing reports of foreign nationals becoming entangled in the conflict under controversial recruitment circumstances.

Ridwan’s plea has sparked debate across Nigerian social media, with many calling for stronger diplomatic engagement and tighter regulation of international recruitment agencies operating within the country.

As investigations continue, his story underscores the risks Nigerians may face when pursuing overseas opportunities without verified documentation and official channels.