The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia clarified media reports about the deportation of 264 Nigerians upon
entry into the Kingdom, stating that it was not targeting Nigerians.
On Monday, The Saudi Arabian government cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by
Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, on arrival at the country from Kano, insisting that they be returned to
Nigeria.

However, in a statement released on Wednesday, the Saudi Embassy said, “The passengers who were
denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t fulfil 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 doesn’t apply to them, which was
discovered upon their arrival.”
“This procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries.”
Similarly, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement made available to Channels Television on
Tuesday, said it was “investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rules have been flouted.”
Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar,
said the ministry will ensure such actions that impact the welfare of Nigerian citizens are mitigated in
the future in line with what was described as the Four Ds strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.