In the aftermath of the sudden revocation of visas for 264 Air Peace passengers by Saudi authorities at King Abdulaziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah, the Federal Government of Nigeria has called for calm among its citizens.
The government, through a press release signed by Francisca K. Omayuli (Mrs), the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reassures that investigations are underway in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to prevent a recurrence of the unfortunate incident.
The press release outlines that the Saudi authorities have not provided reasons for the abrupt cancellation of visas, except for eighteen passengers who were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia due to various offenses committed in the past.
The affected passengers were informed of the visa cancellation upon arrival at the Hajj Terminal, leading to the return of 177 passengers to Nigeria, while 87 passengers were allowed entry into Jeddah.
While acknowledging the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine entry into its territory, the government emphasizes the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The collaborative investigation seeks to understand the circumstances leading to the visa revocation and aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The affected passengers are urged to remain calm as diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve the matter.
The government’s statement reflects a commitment to safeguarding the interests and well-being of its citizens and maintaining positive relations with strategic partners like Saudi Arabia.
