Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that it will not allow its citizens to travel to Ukraine in order to join the Ukrainian forces to fight against the Russia troops.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday, by the Spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli. The spokesperson said the country will not condone such as the FG will do everything necessary to ensure its citizens do not engage in the ongoing war.

The Federal Government further explained that it discourages the use of mercenaries anywhere in the world and as such won’t allow Nigerians Join the ongoing war.

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.”

Recall that Over 150 Nigerians volunteered to join Ukraine forces repel the nation’s invasion by Russia after Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, urged people around the world to join the fight.

Credit: Journalist 101

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