The Federal Government has said its wouldn’t allow any Nigerian citizens to join forces with Ukrainian Army to war against the invasion of Russia.
Recall that following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky had called on people around the world to join the fight.
Following this announcement, more than 150 Nigerians have volunteered to be recruited in joining the fight.
The government has however in a statement on Monday by the Spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said the its would not tolerate the recruitment exercise going on.
According to the statement, the Federal Government would engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this.
The statement read, “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.”