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22-year-old Daniel Angel Masie Nchama, an IT student from Equatorial Guinea, was convinced by a Cameroonian named 'Fabrice' to head to Russia for military training and work as a bodyguard. What he got was a brutal war in Ukraine, hunger, fear, and a desperate fight to survive.

Nchama, who is now back home in Malabo, recalls the 'basic training' he underwent in Russia, which was far from the eight months promised. 'We said we couldn't sign documents we didn't understand,' he said. 'They insisted, saying it was too late to translate them.' Their passports were confiscated and never returned.

And so, Nchama and the others were shipped off to Ukraine, where they were met with more than two weeks of intensive training. This was followed by an armoured vehicle ride to the front line, where Nchama's group was stationed. 'We killed two of my comrades when a missile struck our vehicle,' he said.

Nchama's battalion in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, was decimated within two weeks. He claims to be the sole survivor. He was then reassigned to another battalion in the Donetsk Oblast region, where he served for a month and nine days.

'We ate a deer raw, that's how hungry we were.'

The harsh living conditions included nine days without any food. 'Every mission was done under duress,' Nchama said. 'If they told you 'do this' and you didn't do it, they could send someone to kill you.'

But Nchama's ordeal was not in vain. His story went viral on social media, causing a stir throughout Equatorial Guinea. His government swiftly declared it would take 'diplomatic steps' to secure his release.

Nchama, who endured more gruelling days at the front, was eventually saved by an unexpected snowfall. Back in Murmansk, the Russian military leadership decorated him with medals and promised him a fully-fledged position in the army and a Russian passport.

But Nchama layed low, telling his superiors he was going to spend the weekend at a friend's place. He was rescued by the Equatorial Guinean ambassador, who took him to his home.

'I realised we were on the front lines when a missile struck our vehicle and killed two of my comrades,' Nchama said.

The Equatorial Guinean government has urged young people and their families to be cautious of vague promises made by recruiters.

Key Facts

• Nchama is 22 years old and from Equatorial Guinea. • He was recruited by a Cameroonian named 'Fabrice' to fight for Russian forces in Ukraine. • Nchama and 566 other recruits were promised eight months of training, but instead received only two weeks. • The group was stationed in Ukraine, where Nchama claims to be the sole survivor of his battalion. • Nchama endured nine days without food and was eventually saved by an unexpected snowfall. • The Russian military leadership awarded Nchama medals and offered him a fully-fledged position in the army and a Russian passport.

His father, who declared himself the 'happiest man in the world' on his son's return, now urges young people and their families to be careful. 'These promises are death guaranteed,' he said.

Nchama's story highlights the dangers of recruitment by unscrupulous elements and the importance of being cautious when considering work opportunities abroad. His father's words should serve as a warning to others.

In March, Nchama alerted his parents to his plight, and they brought the matter to the media's attention. His story went viral on social media and caused a stir throughout Equatorial Guinea. The government of the west African country swiftly declared it would take 'diplomatic steps' to secure his release.

His ordeal was far from over. Nchama endured another 11 gruelling days at the front with relentless Ukrainian drone attacks. It was only when an unexpected snowfall paused the attacks that he was finally able to escape.

Nchama's story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by young people who are lured by false promises of work and adventure abroad. His father's warning should be heeded by young people and their families.