The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission announced on Friday that the Saudi Arabian government has arrested and detained approximately 800 Nigerians for a range of offences. These offences include violations of residency rules, attempts to cross the border illegally, and labour‑related violations by some irregular migrants.
In a statement, the commission’s Head of Public Relations, Gabriel Odu, said Saudi authorities informed the Nigerian Federal Government that there are 45,458 illegal migrants in the kingdom, prompting a crackdown to remove undocumented foreigners. The operation took place between October and December 2022. Consequently, the Federal Government has urged Nigerians traveling to Saudi Arabia to ensure they have proper documentation.
NiDCOM further warned that Nigerians should not travel to the Kingdom without the necessary paperwork, as Saudi authorities have intensified their efforts against irregular migrants. While the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia is intervening on behalf of those detained, the commission emphasized the importance of respecting the laws of host countries.
The statement also noted that President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has appealed to United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to lift the blanket visa ban on Nigerians traveling to the UAE. NiDCOM reiterated its appeal to Nigerian citizens: if travel is necessary, it must be undertaken with legitimate and proper documentation.
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