The Saudi authorities deported 264 Nigerians who arrived in Jeddah from Lagos and Kano on Sunday aboard Air Peace. The Federal Government of Nigeria swiftly responded, initiating an investigation into the incident.
The cancellation of visas on Monday prompted concerns from Nigerian officials, leading to an official statement by Al-Kasim Abdulkadir, the special adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The statement revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively investigating the matter to ascertain whether any Consular or aviation regulations were violated, justifying the Saudi decision.
Despite the passengers undergoing the advanced passengers' information system (APIS) during check-in in Nigeria, a process monitored by Saudi authorities, the reasons for the deportation remain unclear. The Nigerian embassy intervened, negotiating with Saudi authorities to reduce the number of passengers slated for return to Nigeria from 264 to 177.
This incident raises questions about the diplomatic and aviation processes between the two countries, and the investigation seeks to shed light on the circumstances leading to the deportation of Nigerian citizens from Saudi Arabia.
