The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has explained why some Nigerians were deported at the point of entry into the country last week.
Over 170 Nigerians performing the Muslim Hajj rituals were returned from the oil rich country after arriving on an Air Peace flight.
The action of the Saudi government was received with serious criticism from not a few Nigerians who described it as an embarrassment.
The federal government had in its response told the 177 travelers whose visas were cancelled to remain calm while it investigated the issue with the Saudi government.
Reacting on Wednesday, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria, denied report in the media that it deliberately took the action to embarrass Nigerian travelers.
According to the Kingdom in a statement it issued, the deported travelers submitted “incorrect information to obtain a category of visa”.
It said the passengers did not fulfil the terms of the visa issued to them, stressing that visa application should be done in line with the extant laws of the Kingdom.
The government of Saudi Arabia stated further that Nigerians were not the only people deported, other travelers who did not meet their visa conditions were also turned back, the statement said.
Part of the statement: “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 passengers, who were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, did not 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 does not apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.’’
The Royal Embassy stressed the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors
“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 before departing from their countries to the Kingdom.”
