According to Punch, the Second Secretary at the Ukrainian
Embassy to Nigeria, Bohdan Soltys, confirmed on Thursday, 3 March, that
Nigerians who are willing to travel to Ukraine to fight Russian forces must be
willing to provide $1,000 for ticket and visa.
“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.”
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.”
“In this particular case, you cannot fly to Ukraine. The
only way you can fly is through countries that border Ukraine. All these
countries are part of the EU and Nigerians will need visas to visit these countries.
So, it is a big obstacle. You cannot fly directly to Ukraine. You will have to
go to Poland or Hungary,” Soltys said.
The announcement did not go down well with the Nigerians who
lamented that the price was too high.
“The $1,000 requirement is too high,” said Monday Adikwu,
with number 96NA/41/2808, who was dismissed from the Nigerian Army for leaving
his duty post to visit his pregnant DC wife without permission.
“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.”
The diplomat further said Ukraine was not recruiting
mercenaries but volunteers. He, therefore, advised Nigerians not to focus on
the money. He, however, promised that Nigerian volunteers would be paid the
same as Ukrainian soldiers.
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