The Federal Government says it will not tolerate the recruitment of Nigerians into Ukranian army to fi#ht as volunteers against Russia in the ongoing w#r between the two nations.

This comes days after it was reported that over 400 Nigerians with military experience have applied at the embassy of Ukraine in Abuja, where they were allegedly asked to pay $1,000 as visa charges and ticket to travel to Ukraine.

Reacting to the report in a statement on Monday, March 7, the Spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said the Federal Government would not tolerate the recruitment.

“The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to an alleged ongoing registration of Nigerian volunteers into the fi#hting 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 fi#ht on the side of Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Furthermore, the Embassy clarified that the Ukrainian government is not admitting foreign volunteer fi#hters 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 fi#ht 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 said.