The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it has contacted the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria to verify the speculation of the embassy requesting $1000 visa fee and air tickets from the Nigerian volunteer fighters to help Ukraine fight against Russia in the ongoing conflict.
A statement signed by the Spokesperson, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli and made available to Channel Network Afrique (CNA) said the Ukrainian Embassy denied the allegation.
She said the Embassy only confirmed that a number of Nigerians had indicated their willingness to fight on the side of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia adding that the Ukrainian government is not admitting foreign volunteer fighters as such distance itself from the claim that a demand of $1,000 visa and air ticket processing fee was made from each Nigerian volunteer.
“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,” she stated.
The Statement read in part:
“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.
Signed
Francisca K. Omayuli (Mrs)
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
