The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Nigeria has clarified that the recent deportation of travellers at the point of entry was due to their failure to meet the entry conditions and visa requirements of the Kingdom.
In a statement, the embassy emphasized that the passengers who were denied entry and deported provided incorrect information to obtain visa categories for which they did not qualify. This discrepancy was discovered upon their arrival.
“The Embassy wishes to underscore the importance of adhering to the procedures and laws set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors,” the statement declared.
Furthermore, it urged all passengers to carefully review their documents to ensure compliance with the conditions before departing from their home countries to the Kingdom. The embassy also noted that this process was not exclusive to Nigerian citizens but also involved citizens of other countries.
Authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday revoked the visas of all 264 passengers who arrived in Jeddah from Nigeria on an Air Peace flight. The reasons for denying entry to most of the passengers, many of whom were visiting Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj, were not immediately disclosed.
Reportedly, the flight departed from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, via the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and landed at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“To the surprise of the airline staff, the Saudi Arabian authorities announced the cancellation of all the passengers’ visas,” it was revealed.
This incident occurred shortly after the launch of a direct flight to Saudi Arabia by Air Peace. Following the intervention of the Nigerian embassy, Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers to be returned from 264 to 177.
Prior to the commencement of direct flights by Air Peace, Saudia, a Saudi Arabian flag carrier, had been operating direct flights from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, as reported by Daily Trust.
The deportation incident unfolded as President Bola Tinubu was in Saudi Arabia attending the Saudi-Africa summit in Riyadh, seeking to attract foreign direct investment to Africa’s largest economy and mobilize capital for necessary infrastructure development.
During the summit, President Tinubu highlighted the longstanding special relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
