Nigerian Man Misled into Military Service in Ukraine

Balogun Adisa Ridwan, a Nigerian man, shared his harrowing experience of being misled into military service during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Ridwan, along with three other Nigerians—Adam Ana, Akinlawon Tund Kuyum, and Abugu Stanlei Onyeka—was falsely recruited under the pretense of civilian employment.

He reported that he was taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region on January 13, 2026, after surrendering at the front line. Ridwan described his ordeal, stating that he was promised employment but later found himself at a military base, where he was required to sign documents he did not understand due to a language barrier.

Upon encountering Ukrainian troops, he decided to surrender immediately. Ridwan noted that the treatment he received from the Ukrainian soldiers was humane; they did not harm him and provided him with clothing, warmth, shelter, and food.

He has since appealed to President Bola Tinubu for intervention to facilitate his return to Nigeria.