Just In: "18 Passengers Banned", Tinubu Speaks on Cancellation of Nigerians' Visas in Saudi Arabia
- President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to remain calm over the cancellation of Nigerians' visas on their arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- The president, in a statement by the spokesperson of Nigeria's foreign ministry, Francisca Omayuli, disclosed that 177 Nigerians were deported while 87 were cleared
- Tinubu noted that the Saudi authorities were yet to give a reason for the cancellation, adding that only 18 of the passengers were outrightly banned
Legit.ng journalist Bada Yusuf is an accomplished politics and current affairs editor, boasting over seven years of experience in journalism and writing.
FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu-led government has commented on the visas of 264 Air Peace passengers cancelled on arrival at the Jeddah International Airport in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, November 12.
The president, through a statement signed by Francisca Omayuli, the spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs, called on Nigerians to be calmed, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Source: Twitter
How many Nigerians' visas were cancelled by Saudi authorities on arrival?
Contrary to the report that the visas of all 264 passengers were cancelled, the government explained that 177 of the Nigerian passengers had their visas cancelled.
The government said 87 were cleared by the Saudi immigration authority and granted permission to enter the Kingdom.
The statement further explained that only 18 passengers were outrightly banned from entering the kingdom due to the offences they had committed in the past.
The statement said Nigeria still awaits an explanation for the cancellation of others' visas.
Why 18 Air Peace passengers were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia
In the statement, which was shared by Dada Olusegun, the special assistant to President Tinubu on social media, on his X page on Wednesday, November 15, the president noted that it was the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine who comes in and goes out.
Omayuli's statement reads in part:
"The Saudi authorities are yet to give reasons for the cancellation of the visas, except for eighteen (18) passengers, who were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia for various offences committed in the past."
See the tweet here:
Saudi Arabia cancels visa of Nigerian passengers on arrival
Legit.ng earlier reported that 264 Air Peace passengers were denied entrance into Saudi Arabia after arriving at Jeddah from Kano state.
The Saudi Arabian authorities cancelled the Air Peace passengers' visa on Monday, November 13.
It was gathered that it took the intervention of the Nigerian Embassy to reduce the number of passengers to 177.
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Source: Legit.ng
