The Saudi Embassy disclosed this in a statement issued in
Abuja on Wednesday.
It said the applicable rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia
were not met, as they submitted incorrect information.
Recall that on Monday, 264 passengers on an Air Peace flight
arrived in Jeddah after leaving Nigeria on Sunday, but Saudi authorities
cancelled their visas, ordering the airline to take them back to Nigeria.
However, 87 passengers were later allowed to remain in
Saudi, while 177 passengers were flown back to Nigeria by Air Peace.
The Saudi embassy said upon the passengers’ arrival in
Jeddah, it was discovered that incorrect information was submitted to obtain a
category of visa that doesn’t apply to them.
“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 embassy said.
“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.”
The Saudi embassy said the procedure was not limited to
Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries.