Saudi authorities says deported passengers submitted incorrect information
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has clarified media reports about the deportation of 264 Nigerians upon entry into the Kingdom, stating that it was not targeting Nigerians.
In a statement on Monday, the Saudi Arabian government said it cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, on arrival at the country from Kano, insisting that they be returned to Nigeria.
But, in a statement released on Wednesday, the Saudi Embassy said, “The passengers who were denied entry, and subsequently deported back to Nigeria, 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 of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to clarify the media reports and Social Media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom,” the embassy said.
“The passengers who were denied entry and subsequently deported to their initial destinations didn’t fulfill the entry conditions and requirements following 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. The Saudi embassy said the procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens but to citizens of other countries.
Similarly, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement made available to journalists, said it was “investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rules have been flouted.”
Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar said the ministry will ensure such actions that impact the welfare of Nigerian citizens are mitigated in the future in line with what was described as the Four Ds strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Royal Saudi Embassy also issued cautionary measures for applicants wishing to visit the Arabian Peninsula.
Recall on Monday, November 13, 2023, about 264 passengers on an Air Peace flight arrived in Jeddah after leaving Nigeria on Sunday, November 12, 2023. But Saudi authorities cancelled their visas and ordered the airline to take the passengers back to Nigeria.
However, 87 passengers were later allowed to remain in Saudi, while 177 passengers were flown back to Nigeria by Air Peace. The Saudi embassy said upon the passengers’ arrival in Jeddah, it was discovered that incorrect information was submitted to obtain a category of visa that does not apply to them.
Air Peace denies wrongdoing. But in an elaborate response, Air Peace countered the embassy’s claim, adding that it never got any prior denial from the Saudi government.
Air Peace said: “We would like to reiterate that Air Peace strictly followed the profiling procedures stipulated by the Saudi Arabian authorities, and we are still shocked that upon arrival in Jeddah, the visas of our passengers were canceled without any cogent reason.
” Air Peace said that Saudi Arabian immigration officers were shocked at the development.” One of the airline officials who craved anonymity revealed that the airline was not at fault but that the Saudi government got a call from the Nigerian government about the passengers.
