FG Calls For Calm After Saudi Arabia’s Cancellation Of Visas

Following the cancellation of visas of Air Peace passengers from Nigeria upon arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Federal Government has called for calm.

On Monday, the Saudi Arabian government cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, on arrival at the country from Kano, insisting that they be returned to Nigeria.

According to reports, it was on arrival at the Hajj terminal of the King Abdulaziz International Airport that the Saudi Immigration authorities informed the Nigerian passengers that their visas had been cancelled. As a result, 177 passengers were made to return on the same flight back to Nigeria, while 87 passengers were cleared by immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah.

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However, in a statement on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, called for calm, saying Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are currently investigating the matter.

“The Saudi authorities are yet to give reasons for the cancellation of the visas, except for 18 of the passengers who were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia for various offences committed in the past.

“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 a 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,” she said.