Nigeria opposes its citizens volunteering to fight for Ukraine as international law frowns on mercenaries

NIGERIA'S federal government has expressed its disapproval of the ongoing volunteering of the country's citizens putting themselves forward to join the Ukrainian army so they are eligible to fight in the ongoing war with Russia.

Over the last week, more than 150 Nigerians have volunteered to be recruited into the Ukrainian Army after President Volodymyr Zelensky, urged people around the world to join the fight. Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Francisca Omayuli, said the Nigerian government would not tolerate the recruitment.

She added:  “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 and the Ukrainian embassy refuted the allegation but confirmed that a number of Nigerians had approached them 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.

Furthermore, Ms Omayuli, added that the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to engage with the Ukrainian embassy and other relevant authorities to prevent the possibility of mercenary volunteers. Last week, it was rumoured that the Ukrainian embassy was seeking Nigerian volunteers but those interested needed to pay a sum of $1,000 to cover their air fare.