APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that that it has commenced investigations into the perceived row over the repatriation of 177 Nigerians from Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The 177 Nigerians were among 264 passengers on a Nigerian carrier, Air Peace Airline from Lagos via Kano to Jeddah but were denied entry by Saudi authorities.
According to local media reports, it was after the intervention of the Nigerian embassy in Saudi Arabia that the Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers without visas to 177.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement by the media aide to the Minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Tuesday that the ministry was investigating the reasons why Saudi Arabia revoked the visas of 264 passengers who arrived in Jeddah on Monday from Nigeria.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rules have been flouted.
“The Ministry will ensure such actions that impact the welfare of Nigerian citizens are mitigated in the future in line with the 4Ds strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria has just participated in the Saudi-Africa Summit where bilateral discussions covering several sectors of the economy and mutually beneficial commitments were made,” the statement said.
Reacting to the incident on Monday, Mr. Stanley Olisa, spokesperson of Air Peace, said: “It is shocking. 264 passengers were flown, and everything was fine from here (Nigeria), the system checked them, and everything was approved. However, upon arrival in Saudi, their (passengers’) visas were canceled.
“Despite the intervention of the Nigerian embassy over there, the visas of 177 Nigerians were canceled. So out of the 264 passengers, the visas of 177 people were canceled. So, if you do the math, you will know the number of those who were allowed entry.”
Speaking on the development, the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Nigeria said that the travellers recently deported at the point of entry did not meet the entry conditions and requirements of their country.
A statement by the Embassy said that the passengers denied entry and subsequently deported to their initial destinations submitted incorrect information to obtain categories of visa they did not qualify for.
“The discovery was made on their arrival.
“The 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 documents to determine their conformity with the conditions prior to departing from their countries to the Kingdom.
“This procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only; citizens of other countries were involved,” the statement said.
While Nigerians are awaiting the result of the investigations by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on the matter, some Nigerian analysts are already doubting the sincerity of the discussions at the just concluded Saudi-Africa Summit in Jeddah, which was attended by Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu and a high level Nigerian delegation to explore investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and African countries.
It would be recalled that the repatriation of 177 Nigerians was carried out when the Nigerian leader was still attending the Summit in Jeddah.
GIK/APA
Nigeria: Ministry begins investigation into repatriation of 177 Nigerians from Jeddah
