FGN Calls for calm as Air Peace Passengers from Nigeria face visa cancellation upon arrival in Jeddah

Oru Leonard 

The Federal Government of Nigerian has called for calm following the cancellation of visas of 177 Nigerian passengers on arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The call was made in a statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Mrs Francisca Omayuli via its official X handle on Tuesday evening, November 14, 2023.

She stated that reports from the Nigeria consulate in Jeddah disclosed that 264 passengers on Air Peace flight arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday 13, November 2023

The Spokesperson further explained that it was on arrival at the Hajj Terminal that 177 passengers were made to return back to Nigeria on the same flight while 87 passengers were cleared and allowed entry into Jeddah

She said 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.

However, Mrs Omayuli assured that investigations are ongoing in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.