Ukraine: “No One Is Leaving Nigeria To Fight War” – FG

The Federal Government has cautioned that the recruiting of Nigerians into the Ukrainian army to fight Russia will not be tolerated.

On Thursday, February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a special military operation’ in Ukraine, killing hundreds of people and injuring thousands on both sides, according to reports.

Over 100 Nigerians gathered at the Ukraine Embassy in Abuja on March 3 to proclaim their willingness to fight for Ukraine against Russia.

However, Bohdan Soltys, the Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy in Nigeria, disclosed that each of the Nigerian volunteers would pay $1,000 for their airplane ticket and visa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued Monday by its spokeswoman, Francisca Omayuli, said the federal government had called the Ukrainian embassy to confirm the claims.

According to the ministry, the embassy acknowledged that several Nigerians have expressed interest in fighting for Ukraine in the ongoing confrontation with Russia.

The federal government, according to Omayuli, will not fold its arms and let any Nigerians to be exploited or recruited as soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

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.

“It, therefore, dissociated itself from the claim that it is requesting one thousand dollars from each Nigerian volunteer for air ticket and visa.

“As a responsible member of the international community and consistent with our obligations under international laws, Nigeria discourages the use of mercenaries anywhere in the world.

“It 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,’’