Saudi Arabia clarifies deportation of Nigerian Nationals

Saudi Arabia has issued a statement providing clarity on the recent deportation of Nigerians from the Kingdom. The move affected 264 passengers who were informed of their canceled visas upon arrival at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 13, 2023.

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja released a statement on Wednesday to address the situation and shed light on the reasons behind the deportation. According to the embassy, the passengers were denied entry and deported to their original destinations because they failed to meet the entry conditions and requirements outlined by the Kingdom’s rules and regulations.

The embassy emphasized that the deportees had provided incorrect information to obtain a visa category that did not apply to them. This discrepancy was discovered upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia.

The statement underlined the importance of adhering to the procedures and laws set by Saudi Arabia for all visitors. It urged passengers to carefully review their documents to ensure conformity with the conditions before departing from their respective countries to the Kingdom.

Furthermore, the embassy clarified that the deportation procedure was not exclusive to Nigerian citizens but applied to citizens of other countries as well. The release aims to provide context and understanding of the situation surrounding the deportation of individuals who did not comply with Saudi Arabia’s entry requirements.