The Federal Government announced on Monday that it was looking into the 264 Nigerian travelers’ visa cancellations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday, the passengers were flown by plane from Lagos and Kano to Jeddah.
The aircraft departed on Sunday night from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, traveled via Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, and touched down at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
However, the Saudi Arabian authorities reported that all of the passengers’ visas had been cancelled, much to the airline staff’s dismay.
This was true even though the travelers used the Advanced Passengers Information System in Nigeria during the official check-in process, which Saudi authorities were also keeping an eye on.
AlKasim Abdulkadir, the minister of foreign affairs’ media assistant, stated in a statement that the ministry is currently looking into the situation to determine whether any aviation or consular regulations have been broken.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is looking into the matter to see if any aviation or consular regulations have been broken,” the statement stated.
In keeping with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4Ds plan, the Ministry will make sure that future actions that have an adverse effect on the wellbeing of Nigerian citizens are minimized.
“Nigeria recently took part in the Saudi-Africa Summit, wherein bilateral discussions encompassing multiple economic sectors were held, and commitments that would be mutually advantageous were established.”
