Federal Government Urges Public to Remain Calm Following Saudi Arabia’s Visa Cancellation
Federal Government Urges Calm After Saudi Arabia Cancels Visas for Air Peace Passengers
In response to the cancellation of visas for Air Peace passengers upon arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Federal Government has called for calm. According to reports received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 carried 264 passengers from Lagos and Kano to the King Abdulaziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah on November 23, 2023. Upon arrival, Saudi Immigration authorities informed passengers that their visas had been cancelled.
As a result, 177 passengers returned to Nigeria on the same flight, while 87 passengers were allowed entry into Jeddah after clearance by immigration. The Saudi authorities have yet to provide reasons for the visa cancellations, except for 18 passengers who were banned from Saudi Arabia for past offenses.
Francisca Omayuli, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Tuesday that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are investigating the matter. While acknowledging the sovereign right of nations to control entry into their territory, Omayuli emphasized the partnership between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia and urged affected passengers to remain calm during the resolution process.
