The Embassy of Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday the cancellation of visas for 177 passengers from Nigeria who arrived in Jeddah on an Air Peace flight. The travelers had violated the entry rules of the kingdom, leading to their visas being revoked upon arrival.
According to reports from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 transported 264 passengers from Lagos and Kano airports to the King Abdulaziz International Airport—Hajj Terminal in Jeddah on Monday, November 23, 2023. The Saudi Immigration authorities informed the passengers of the cancellation of their visas upon arrival at the Hajj Terminal.
In response to media reports, the Saudi Embassy in Abuja released a statement on Wednesday defending the decision. It clarified that the deported Nigerians had provided incorrect information to obtain a visa category that did not apply to them, a discovery made upon their arrival.
The statement from the Royal Embassy emphasized the importance of adhering to the entry conditions and requirements set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It advised all passengers to thoroughly review their documents for conformity with the conditions before departing from their respective countries to the Kingdom. The embassy underscored that this procedure applied not only to Nigerian citizens but also to citizens of other countries.
