Saudi Arabia issued a statement elucidating the rationale behind the deportation of Nigerians from the Saudi Kingdom. On Monday, 13th November, 2023, 264 passengers were informed of the cancellation of their visas upon arrival at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Hajj Terminal Jeddah.
Following this incident, the Federal Government of Nigeria called for calm regarding the deportations. Later, 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. These individuals had furnished incorrect information to obtain a visa category that wasn’t 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.