The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja has addressed the deportation of 177 Nigerian passengers from Jeddah, asserting that these individuals did not meet the kingdom’s entry conditions and requirements.
The Saudi Arabian Authorities took action after canceling the visas of all 264 passengers airlifted to Jeddah from Lagos and Kano by Air Peace on Sunday.
Initially, the airline was instructed to return all passengers, but later 87 were allowed to stay. The passengers had undergone the Advanced Passengers Information System (APIS) during check-in in Nigeria, monitored by Saudi authorities.
In a statement, the Saudi Embassy clarified that the deported individuals had provided incorrect information to obtain a visa category that did not apply to them, discovered upon their arrival.
Emphasizing the importance of following Saudi Arabia’s procedures and laws for all visitors, the embassy urged passengers to review documents for conformity before departing.
“The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to make a clarification about the media reports and Social Media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom.
“The passengers whom were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t fulfil the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom, as they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that doesn’t apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.
“The Royal Embassy would like to stress the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.
“Furthermore, all passengers should review all the documents to determine their conformity with the conditions prior to departing from their countries to the Kingdom. This procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries,” a statement by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Abuja said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged to investigate the visa cancellations of all 264 passengers, examining potential violations of consular or aviation rules.
The flight, originating from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night, faced an unexpected turn when Saudi authorities announced the cancellation of all passengers’ visas upon arrival at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah.
Ada Peter
