FG Assures Issue Concerning Saudi Arabia Visa Cancellation Will be Resolved 

The Federal Government issued a calm statement on Tuesday to all affected Air Peace passengers whose visas were revoked and who were deported from Saudi Arabia. The statement also stated that an investigation into the “unfortunate” incident has been started.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswoman, Francisca Omayuli, made a statement that included this information.

Omayuli claims that reports from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah showed that on November 13, Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 arrived at the King Abdul-Aziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah after transporting 264 passengers from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport.

In the statement, she said that the passengers were notified by Saudi immigration officials upon arriving at the Hajj Terminal that their visas had been revoked and that 177 of them needed to be evacuated on the same flight back to Nigeria.

She said that a total of 87 passengers were granted clearance by immigration and permitted entry into Jeddah.

Omayuli clarified that the Saudi authorities have not yet provided an explanation for the removal of the visas and the complete ban placed on the 18 travelers from Saudi Arabia due to a variety of prior transgressions.

“Notwithstanding the fact that it is the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine who is permitted entry into its territory, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are traditional and strategic partners who are willing to guard against the recurrence of this unfortunate incident.

“”In this regard, investigation is ongoing in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

“The affected passengers are therefore implored to keep calm while the matter is being resolved,” the statement quoted Omayuli as saying.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House of Representatives condemned the cancellation of the passengers’ visas, describing the act as embarrassing.

They implored the Federal Government to promptly undertake the requisite diplomatic measures to safeguard Nigeria’s reputation and guarantee the complete execution of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).

The lawmakers also demanded that Nigerian national carriers that are traveling to Saudi Arabia be protected, as well as the Nigerian traveling public.

Additionally, they directed the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Pilgrim’s Affairs to begin an investigation into the immediate and distant circumstances leading up to the visa cancellation and submit a report in a fortnight.