The Nigerian Federal Government on Monday warned that it will not tolerate recruitment of Nigerians as mercenaries in the ongoing war and invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Expressing concern over reports of an alleged ongoing registration of Nigerian volunteers into the fighting force of Ukraine at the Ukrainian Embassy in Abuja, Spokesperson, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Francisca K. Omayuli, said in a statement on Monday that the Ukrainian embassy has denied report of such recruitment.
But Omayuli however noted that the Ukrainian Embassy confirmed that a number of Nigerians had approached to indicate their willingness to fight on the side of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
She stressed that Nigeria discourages the use of mercenaries anywhere in the world and would not allow recruitment of her citizens as mercenaries in the country.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry assured that the Federal Government would continue to engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this possibility.
“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,” the statement read