The Federal Government has warned against the alleged recruitment of Nigerians as mercenaries to fight in favour of Ukraine in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This follows recent reports that over 100 Nigerians have shown interest to be enrolled as volunteers to strengthen the Ukraine forces.
The Ukrainian Embassy was also reported to have told the would-be fighters to provide $1,000 for tickets and visas, assuring them of the same compensations as Ukrainian soldiers.
However, in a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli said the attention of the government was 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 said it had contacted the embassy to verify the speculation and the Ukrainian embassy refuted the allegation.
It said the Ukrainian Embassy however confirmed that a number of Nigerians had approached the embassy and indicated their willingness to fight for them 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 statement added.
The Federal Government said it would continue to engage with the embassy of Ukraine in the country and other relevant authorities to prevent the possibility of recruitment.
