By John Ikani
The Nigerian government on Monday said it will not tolerate the recruitment of its citizens as mercenaries to support Ukraine fighting Russia.
This follows reports of alleged recruitment of volunteers in the country to fight for Ukraine.
Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry spokesman Francisca Omayuli in a statement said the West African nation is in talks with Ukrainian counterparts to forestall such an occurrence.
“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 in the world,” Omayuli said.
“The Federal Government will continue to engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent this possibility.”
The ministry went on to note that the Ukrainian embassy had denied any role in the alleged exercise.
But the embassy confirmed that a number of Nigerians had approached it indicating willingness to join the war, according to a ministry statement.
The embassy also distanced itself from claims that it was requesting $1,000 (£800) from each Nigerian volunteer for an air ticket and visa.
The ban on Nigeria citizens from joining the fight in Ukraine
comes days after Senegal warned against volunteers enlisting to fight against Russians in Ukraine.
It also ordered the Ukrainian ambassador to take down a Facebook post that had called on Senegalese volunteers to enlist to the war.
