Nigerian Engineer Declared Dead Fighting For Russia In Ukraine War Found Alive
A Nigerian previously reported killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has resurfaced alive after months in captivity, overturning earlier claims of his death.
Thirty-two-year-old Balogun Adisa Ridwan had been named among a group of Nigerians allegedly slain on the battlefield after reports circulated that they were lured abroad with job promises before being pushed into combat. His name appeared alongside others said to have perished in the war.
However, fresh details published by United24Media indicate that Balogun was not killed. Instead, he was captured by Ukrainian troops near Lyman in the Donetsk region on January 13, 2026, after surrendering during fighting. While in detention, he reportedly discovered that news of his “death” had already spread back home.
According to his account, Balogun travelled to Russia on a tourist visa in search of engineering work. He said his expectations quickly unravelled after he was taken to a military facility and made to sign documents he could not read due to language barriers and lack of translation support. His mobile phone was allegedly seized, leaving him unable to communicate or verify what he was endorsing.
“The day we were signing the contract, I didn’t understand the language,” Balogun says. “They didn’t allow us to use our phones to translate, so we signed our contracts. I told them already about my job. Maybe they were going to put me in my field. I didn’t know they would use me.”
He explained that after only a brief period of training, he and other foreign nationals were deployed to the frontlines. When confronted with active combat, he said he chose to give himself up.
“I was lucky to be captured by the Ukrainians. They are good people,” Balogun said.
Describing his time in custody, he maintained that he was treated humanely and provided basic necessities.
“They told us to stand up and go with them,” Balogun says. “Ukrainians did not harm us or hurt us; When we got to their base, we were welcome—giving us what to dress in, coffee, kept us in a warm place for us to be calm. We were ok. They made sure we were ok, that we wouldn’t panic. They were really nice to us. I really appreciate that.”
Meanwhile, back in Nigeria, reports of his supposed death had already taken hold, allegedly originating from a closed messaging group said to involve African fighters. Family members and friends reportedly believed he had been killed in action.
Now confirmed alive, Balogun is appealing for clearance to return home, insisting he never intended to fight in the war.
“I travelled to Russia on a tourist visa to find a job,” says Balogun. “The government of Russia grossly fooled me, turned me into a soldier, and sent me to war in Ukraine.”
“I appeal to my government, to my president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Forgive your son. I left home to feed my family. It did not work out the way I wanted. I went to have a job as a mechanic or engineer. The Russian government totally fooled me,” he says.
His case comes amid renewed warnings from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which recently cautioned citizens against falling victim to recruitment schemes tied to foreign conflicts. In a report by SaharaReporters, authorities described such incidents as troubling and said measures were underway to safeguard Nigerians overseas.
Officials stressed the legal and personal consequences of participating in overseas armed engagements and urged families, community leaders and institutions to sensitise young people about deceptive offers promising jobs, education or migration opportunities.
For Balogun, what began as a quest for employment has evolved into a struggle to clear his name—having first been counted among the dead, he now seeks a path back home and a chance to rebuild his life.
