The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has provided clarification on the recent cancellation of visas for Air Peace passengers, stating that the individuals did not meet the entry requirements of the country.
The embassy issued a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighting that the passengers had submitted incorrect information, leading to the cancellation of their visas upon arrival in Jeddah.
“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 embassy said.
Earlier in the week, 264 passengers on an Air Peace flight had arrived in Jeddah, but Saudi authorities canceled their visas, instructing the airline to return 177 passengers to Nigeria while allowing 87 passengers to remain in Saudi.
The embassy stressed that the individuals deported did not fulfill the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia. The incorrect information submitted by the passengers led to them obtaining a category of visa that did not apply to them, a situation discovered upon their arrival.
“The passengers whom were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t fulfill 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 embassy further underscored the importance of adhering to the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors. It emphasized that the procedures applied not only to Nigerian citizens but also to citizens of other countries.
In concluding the statement, the embassy urged all passengers to thoroughly review their documents to ensure conformity with the conditions before departing from their respective countries to the Kingdom.
