Saudi Arabia embassy has disclosed that the 264 Nigerians deported from Jeddah had obtained visas that “doesn’t apply to them”.
Chronicle NG had reported that the Saudi government cancelled the visas of the 264 Nigerians on arrival and requested that Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, return the passengers to Kano, Nigeria.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Saudi government noted that the action was not targeted at Nigerians alone.
“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 who were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t fulfil the entry conditions and requirements by 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.”
“This procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries,” the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia said.
The statement noted that “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 before departing from their countries to the Kingdom.”
Meanwhile, Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the ministry will investigate the matter.
“We are investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rules have been flouted,” he told Channels TV.
Chronicle NG reports that President Bola Tinubu was in Saudi Arabia performing Lesser Hajj and courting investments when the incident occurred.
