From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government, has dismissed as false, reports of conscription of Nigerian students by Russia in exchange for visa renewal.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Eche Abu-Obe, said the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to news articles published by several Nigerian Media outlets on Monday 10th June, 2024, informing the public that the Russian Government is engaging Nigerian and other African Students to participate in the ongoing war with Ukraine with the promise of Visa renewals.
“The Ministry wishes to inform that the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow is in close communication with the Executives of the Nigerian Students Association in Moscow, Russia and there has not been any reported case of conscription of Nigerian students, nor indeed of other African students to fight in the aforementioned war. The Newspaper reports are therefore, false and misleading and should therefore, be disregarded,” the government said.
Government also said the ministry wished to seize this occasion to appeal to media outlets to exercise due diligence in the line of duty by verifying information at their disposal before releasing to the public.