Saudi Arabia cancels visa of 264 Nigerians

The Saudi Arabian government has cancelled the visa of all the 264 Nigerians airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, on arrival at the country from Kano State.

It was gathered that the flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos via the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Sunday night and arrived Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday without issues.

However, on landing, the Saudi Arabia authorities announced that all the passengers’ visas were cancelled and insisted that Air Peace return them to Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser, Media and Communications Strategy to the minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said it was investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rule had been violated.

The ministry said it would ensure actions that would impact the welfare of Nigerians were mitigated in the future, in line with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

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“Nigeria has just participated in the Saudi-Africa Summit where bilateral discussions covering several sectors of the economy and mutually beneficial commitments were made,” it stated.

The latest development is coming at a time Tinubu is in Saudi Arabia attending the Saudi-Africa Summit alongside Africa leaders and the business leaders from both countries (Nigeria and Saudi Arabia).

The president, on Sunday, performed the lesser hajj in Makkah.

President Tinubu, while briefing newsmen at the end of the lesser hajj, said his administration was determined to change the narrative through various reforms, programmes, and policies that would ultimately benefit the citizens.

He said: “The prospect of the country is yet to blossom to the level that we require. It needs hard work and consistent prayers by each and every one of us. We are committed to use our strength to bring out this potential for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“That’s why we are here and May Allah accepts all our prayers, individually and collectively, for the good of the nation and its people. There is the need for me to thank God for what He has done for me.

“For His guidance, His blessings and His answers to my prayers and the country’s prayers and for the good of all humanity. I have to give thanks to God at every opportunity.”

The Star