Saudi government opens up on revoked visas, says deported Nigerians submitted incorrect information

The government of Saudi Arabia has eventually shed more light on the controversy around the recent deportation of some Nigerians upon entry into the Kingdom.

According to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the visas of the 177 Air Peace passengers from Nigeria were canceled upon Arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for violating the country’s entry rules.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Embassy in Abuja, the Saudi authorities defended the deportation and stated that the deported Nigerians submitted incorrect information to get a category of visa that did not apply to them, which was when they arrived.

The statement read: “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 fulfil 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 Royal Embassy talked about the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.

The Embassy said: “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 before departing from their countries to the Kingdom.

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