The authority in Saudi Arabia has on Wednesday, issued a statement giving the reasons why 264 passengers visas were cancelled and subsequently deported from the Kingdom on Monday, November 13, 2023 upon arrival at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Hajj Terminal Jeddah.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for calm following the deportations, but on Wednesday, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja provided clarification on the matter.
According to the embassy’s statement, the passengers denied entry and subsequently deported did not meet the entry conditions and requirements stipulated by the Kingdom’s applicable rules and regulations. They said the individuals had furnished incorrect information to obtain a visa category that was not applicable to them, a discrepancy discovered upon their arrival.
The embassy emphasized the importance of adhering to Saudi Arabia’s procedures and laws for all visitors. It urged passengers to thoroughly review their documents for compliance with entry conditions before departing for the Kingdom. Importantly, this verification procedure wasn’t exclusive to Nigerian citizens but extended to individuals from other countries as well.