The Federal Government on Monday rejected the move by some Nigerians who volunteered to fight on the side of Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Minsitry of Foreign Affairss and signed by its spokesperson Francisca Omayuli on Monday.
This is coming days after some Nigerians willing to travel to Ukraine to fight Russian forces besieged the Eastern European country’s embassy in Abuja, and they were reportedly asked by the embassy officials to pay $1,000 for tickets and visa.
Federal Government, in the statement said, it won’t allow the recruitment and it would engage the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to stop the planned exercise.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to an alleged ongoing registration of Nigerian volunteers into the fighting force of Ukraine at the Ukrainian Embassy in Abuja.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the Embassy to verify the speculation. The Ukrainian Embassy refuted the allegation but confirmed that a number of Nigerians had approached the Embassy indicating their willingness to fight on the side of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
“Furthermore, the Embassy clarified that the Ukrainian government is not admitting foreign volunteer fighters and as such dissociated itself from the claim that it is requesting $1,000 from each Nigerian volunteer for air ticket and visa.
“As a responsible member of the international community and consistent with our obligations under international law, Nigeria discourages the use of mercenaries anywhere in the world and will not tolerate the recruitment, in Nigeria, of Nigerians as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine or anywhere else in the world.
The Federal Government will continue to engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this possibility.”
Russia began a “special mititary operations” on Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, 2022.
