The Ukraine embassy
in Nigeria says Nigerians who are willing to travel to Ukraine to fight Russian
forces must provide $1,000 for flight ticket and visa.
According to
the Punch, the embassy said this on Thursday when
some Nigerians converged on its premises in Abuja to express their readiness to
fight on Ukraine’s side.
On February 24, Russian troops invaded Ukraine after Vladimir Putin, president of Russia,
ordered a special military operation in Donbas, a separatist-held region in
Ukraine.
Since the invasion, there have been reported casualties on both sides, and many residents of Ukraine, including Nigerians, are fleeing to neighbouring countries.
In an interview with the Punch, Bohdan Soltys, second
secretary at the Ukrainian embassy, confirmed that $1,000 will be needed by
Nigerian volunteers.
He said it will be difficult for Nigerians to travel to
Ukraine now since the airspace has been shut owing to the war.
“It is normal practice when people want to volunteer and
join the army of another country. It is a normal international practice. Of
course, for us, it is an expression of support which we really appreciate. For
now, no one has gone. We have received hundreds of applications from people who
said they are willing. We have sent lists to the government but I cannot tell
you what will happen next,” he said.
On why $1,000 was being demanded from Nigerian volunteers,
the Ukrainian diplomat said, “Yes, $1,000. That is what I paid the last time I
visited Ukraine.”
Reacting to the monetary requirement, Monday Adikwu, an
ex-Nigerian army officer, said the $1,000 requirement is “too high”.
“They said we should provide evidence of military
experience, passports, and $1,000 for tickets and others. When I asked what the
salary is, the guy first said $7,000 and later changed it to $3,300 per month.
I showed him my military and training certificates,” he said.
When asked why he wants to go to Ukraine, Adikwu said he
needed money to take care of his family including six children, adding that he
was not afraid of Russian forces.
Nkem Ndueche another applicant from Anambra state, said he
was fluent in Russian having attended a Russian military academy in 2007, and
that he was “101 percent ready to fight for Ukraine. It is wrong for someone to
invade another person’s land”.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com