“I was Lucky to be Captured by the Ukrainians. They are Good People,” Nigerian 🇳🇬Man Balogun Adisa Ridwan Tricked Into Russia’s War Appeals to President Tinubu to be Returned home
Balogun Full Story
Balogun: “The day we were signing the contract, I didn’t understand the language. They didn’t allow us to use our phones to translate. I told them about my job. Maybe they were going to put me in my field. I didn’t know they would use me.”
Another African recruit, Bubaka, had a heart attack during training. Nearly died. Told russians he wasn’t ready. Asked to go home. Russians said: three months in jail, then home. Bubaka wrote a formal request. Russians sent him to war anyway.
Russians never gave soldiers their phones before deployment. No contact with families. No way to understand where they were going.
Balogun: “When we got to the position, we were feeling cold. When we were relaxing, I saw soldiers coming in. They were Ukrainians.”
He surrendered immediately. Ukrainian 117th Territorial Defense Brigade captured him January 13.
Balogun: “Ukrainians did not harm us. When we got to their base, we were welcome. Giving us what to dress in, coffee, kept us in a warm place. They were really nice.”
Ukrainian intelligence estimates over 1,400 individuals from 36 African countries recruited to fight for russia. “I Want to Live” project obtained lists of 16,894 foreign nationals from 121 countries fighting for russia. At least 678 killed as of summer 2025.
Kenya shut down over 600 employment agencies deceiving citizens with job promises. Botswana, South Africa, Egypt, Jordan, Nepal, Sri Lanka warned citizens about russian job offers.
Balogun appeals to Nigerian President Tinubu: Forgive your son. I left home to feed my family.
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