By Ochiaka Ugwu
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned against using Nigerians as mercenaries in the war-torn Ukraine.
The warning came on the heels of speculation that many Nigerians have indicated interest to fight on the side of Ukraine against Russia with the Ukrainian Embassy in Abuja making necessary arrangement for its success.
However, the Embassy of Ukraine has 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.
In a press statement released in Abuja Monday by the Nigerian Foreign Ministry, signed by its Spokesperson, Mrs. Francisca K. Omayuli, it noted 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.
According to the statement, “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 concluded.
It could be recalled that at a time Nigerians in Ukraine are struggling to return home due to the ragging war with Russia, about 115 young Nigerians were reported to have offered to join Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
The men, who besieged the Ukraine Embassy in Abuja, also put down their names in a register provided by the embassy.
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