Nigerian Government urges calm amidst Saudi visa cancellation controversy

The Federal Government has responded to the recent deportation of passengers to Saudi Arabia, calling for calm as investigations into the matter are underway. On Sunday, November 12, 2023, 264 passengers flying from Nigeria experienced visa cancellations upon their arrival at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Of the affected passengers, 177 were sent back to Nigeria, while 87 were allowed entry after clearance by immigration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Francisca K. Omayuli, issued a statement addressing the situation and urging affected individuals to remain calm.

The statement revealed that the Saudi authorities have not provided specific reasons for the visa cancellations, except for 18 passengers who were outrightly banned from entering Saudi Arabia due to past offenses. While acknowledging a sovereign nation’s right to control entry into its territory, the statement emphasized the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

The governments of both nations are actively investigating the incident, with the affected passengers encouraged to remain patient during the resolution process. The statement aims to assure the public that steps are being taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents between the traditional and strategic partners.