Saudi Arabia says deported Nigerians submitted incorrect information

The Embassy of Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that the visas of 177 Air Peace passengers from Nigeria upon arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were cancelled for violating the country’s entry rules.

According to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the 177 Air Peace passengers are said to have violated the country’s entry rules. The specific nature of the alleged violation is centered around the submission of incorrect information. The embassy has not provided detailed information on the inaccuracies, leading to questions about the transparency and fairness of the decision.

On the other hand, passengers affected by the visa cancellations through Air Peace express confusion and frustration. Many claim to have provided accurate information during the visa application process and are puzzled by the sudden revocation upon arrival. The lack of clarity from the Saudi Arabian authorities has left these passengers in limbo, uncertain about the next steps and the potential impact on their travel plans.

The cancellation of visas for a significant number of passengers poses challenges for Air Peace, the Nigerian airline involved in this incident. Beyond the immediate financial implications, the airline’s reputation may be at stake. How the airline handles the situation and communicates with affected passengers will play a crucial role in mitigating potential damage to its image.

The Federal Government had on Tuesday noted that, according to reports it received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 airlifted 264 passengers from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport and landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport—Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, November 23, 2023.

It was on arrival at the Hajj terminal that the Saudi immigration authorities informed the passengers that their visas had been cancelled.

Consequently, 177 passengers were made to return on the same flight back to Nigeria, while 87 passengers were cleared by immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah.

According to a statement from the Embassy on Wednesday, the deported Nigerians submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that does not apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.

“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 passengers who were denied entry and subsequently deported to their initial destinations did not 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 does not apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival,” the statement said.

The Royal Embassy stressed the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors, advising that “all passengers should review all the documents to determine their conformity with the conditions prior departing from their countries to the Kingdom.

“This procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries.”

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