The Nigerian Government on Monday vowed that it will not allow any of its citizens to be deployed as mercenaries to fight in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Nigerian government, while reacting to reports that the Ukrainian government has called for people around the world to join it in defending its country, said it will not approve the recruitment of Nigerians in the ongoing war.
Reports emerged last week that scores of Nigerians have expressed interest in joining the Ukrainian army to resist the invasion of the country by Russia.
Over 150 Nigerians were said to have expressed their interest in joining the Ukrainian army, said to have been outgunned by the invading Russian forces.
But reacting in a statement issued on Monday by the Spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, the Federal government stressed that it will not tolerate the deployment of Nigerians as mercenaries in Ukraine or anywhere in the world.
In the statement, the government noted that its disapproval is in line with its obligations under international law.
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 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 by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry stated.
