Emmanuel Emenike has scored nine goals for Nigeria. Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has announced his retirement from international football.

Emenike, 28, wrote on his Instagram account on Monday night that he was calling time on representing Nigeria.

"After five great years I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my national team career for the sake of national peace," the Al Ain forward said.

"It's a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think it's the best time to end it."

Emenike was top scorer as Nigeria won the Africa Nations Cup in 2013, but he has not scored for the country since netting against Ethiopia during qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.

It was reported in Nigeria on Monday that he was due to be axed from the squad by coach Sunday Oliseh, but the manager told ESPN FC there was no truth to the story.

He said: "I don't know where they got that information from, as my coaches and I had not even discussed the coming squad yet.