The Federal Government has initiated an investigation into the sudden cancellation of visas for 264 passengers who were transported to Jeddah from Lagos and Kano on Sunday by Saudi Authorities.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Al-Kasim Abdulkadir, it was revealed that the Ministry is currently looking into the matter to determine if there have been any violations of consular or aviation regulations.
The revelation comes on the heels of Nigeria’s participation in the Saudi-Africa summit, during which the two countries entered into bilateral discussions encompassing various sectors of the economy and mutually beneficial commitments.
Al-Kasim further indicated that despite the passengers undergoing the Advanced Passengers Information System (APIS) during check-in formalities in Nigeria, the process was also monitored by the Saudi Authorities.
However, it was discovered that when the Nigerian Embassy intervened, the Saudi Authorities reduced the number of passengers to be returned from 264 to 177.
