Saudi Arabian authorities cancelled the visas of 18 out of the 177 passengers who arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on an Air Peace flight from Nigeria. The cancellations were attributed to various offences committed by the affected passengers in the past. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria called for calm, stating that Saudi Arabia is currently investigating the matter. The reasons for the cancellation of visas for other passengers are yet to be provided by Saudi authorities.
Key Points:
- Visa Cancellations:
- Saudi Arabian authorities cancelled the visas of 18 out of the 177 passengers who arrived on an Air Peace flight from Nigeria to Jeddah.
- Reasons for Cancellation:
- The cancelled visas were attributed to various offences committed by the affected passengers in the past. However, the reasons for the cancellation of visas for the remaining passengers are yet to be provided by Saudi authorities.
- Return to Nigeria:
- Following the visa cancellations, 177 passengers were made to return to Nigeria on the same flight, while 87 passengers were cleared by immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah.
- Investigation:
- Both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are conducting investigations into the matter. The Saudi authorities have not provided reasons for the cancellation of visas for the majority of the passengers.
- Call for Calm:
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria called for calm among the affected passengers and stated that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are traditional and strategic partners working to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
- Ongoing Resolution:
- The affected passengers are urged to remain calm while the matter is being resolved, and both countries are engaged in ongoing investigations.
Conclusion:
The cancellation of visas for 18 Nigerian passengers by Saudi Arabian authorities due to past offences has led to an investigation by both countries. The reasons for the cancellation of visas for the majority of the passengers are yet to be provided. The incident underscores the importance of diplomatic relations and cooperation in resolving such issues between sovereign nations.
