By InfactNG
The Ukrainian Embassy in Nigeria has refuted the allegation of an ongoing registration of Nigerian volunteers into the fighting force of Ukraine at the Embassy in Abuja.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Francisca K. Omayuli.
However, many Nigerians have questioned why the statement is coming from the federal Government and not directly from the Ukraine Embassy in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the Embassy however 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.
Nigeria would be in the bad books of the Russians if it is confirmed that her citizens are fighting on the side of Ukraine as Nigeria still holds strategic partnerships with Russia. Also, the situation would leave Nigeria in bad light that her citizens are desperate to leave the country, a situation the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) would like to avoid.
It 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.”
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