Ukrainian Army Arrests Nigerian Accused of Fighting for Russian Forces
The Ukrainian Army has arrested another Nigerian national, Balogun Ridwan, who allegedly fought for Russia in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Ridwan was captured at a Russian military base where he was deployed on the frontline, according to reports from Ukrainian media sources.
Deception and False Job Promises Lead to Recruitment
Ridwan claims he was induced to travel to Russia under the pretext of an engineering job offer, only to be forced into signing a contract with the Russian army upon arrival. He stated that the contract was written in Russian, a language he did not understand, and he was not allowed to use his phone for translation during the signing process.
"I travelled to Russia on a tourist visa to find a job. The government of Russia grossly fooled me, turned me into a soldier, and sent me to war in Ukraine," Ridwan explained. He added that he believed he would be placed in his field of work, but instead was used for military purposes without his consent.
Harsh Conditions and Chaotic Training Experience
Upon recruitment, Ridwan disclosed that his phone was confiscated, and he was subjected to harsh conditions. He underwent training for a few weeks, which he described as largely chaotic. During this period, an African recruit named Bubaka nearly died after suffering a heart attack, yet was still sent to the frontline despite not completing the training.
"We spent 16 days, not weeks, but the guy [Bubaka] didn't pass his training at all. He was still sent with us to go to war. This was very bad," Ridwan recounted, highlighting the perilous and disorganized nature of the recruitment process.
Appeal to Nigerian Government for Intervention
Ridwan has appealed to the Nigerian government, specifically President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for forgiveness and assistance. He emphasized that his intention was to secure employment to support his family, not to engage in warfare.
"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," he said, expressing regret and seeking diplomatic intervention.
Background on Nigerians in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
This incident follows previous reports where Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate disclosed the identities of two Nigerians killed while serving with Russian forces in the Luhansk region. They were eliminated by a drone strike, according to Ukrainian defence officials.
In response to such cases, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, has denied any government-backed recruitment of Nigerians, distancing the Russian state from these allegations.
Broader Implications and Calls for Support
The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year, continues to cause widespread devastation and poses significant threats to global food and energy security. Ukraine, a key food supplier, has lost substantial grain storage capacity, jeopardizing its ability to provide essential agricultural products like wheat, corn, and sunflower oil to international markets.
In an exclusive interview, Ukraine's ambassador to Nigeria, Kholostenko Ivan, highlighted Kyiv's efforts to ensure food security and called for support from Nigeria and other countries, underscoring the global ramifications of the conflict.
