Saudi Embassy In Abuja Provides Explanation For Turning Nigerian Passengers Back

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja has provided an official response to the Kingdom’s refusing entry to 264 Nigerians who boarded an Air Peace flight to Jeddah.

The statement, released on Wednesday, reads thus:
“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 whom were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t 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 doesn’t apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.
The Royal 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 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”.

The statement comes after a motion was passed in the House of Representatives to investigate the incident.