The Federal Government and House of Representatives announced yesterday that they are looking into the visa revocation of 264 Nigerians by the Saudi Arabian government.
It is noteworthy that on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that an investigation is underway to determine whether there were any violations of consular or aviation rules by the Nigerian travelers and Air Peace, the airline that transported them to Saudi Arabia.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Media and Communications Strategy, informed Vanguard yesterday that the ministry is currently investigating the issue. The findings will be disclosed in due course.
”We are still investigating the matter and we have not concluded the investigation,” he told Vanguard on the phone yesterday.”
Responding to the incident yesterday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs. Francisca Omayuli, stated, “According to reports received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 airlifted 264 passengers from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport and landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday, November 13, 2023.”
“It was on arrival at the Hajj Terminal that the Saudi Immigration authorities informed the passengers that their visas had been canceled. Consequently, 177 passengers were made to return on the same flight back to Nigeria, while 87 passengers were cleared by immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah.”
“The Saudi authorities are yet to give reasons for the cancellation of the visas, except for 18 of the passengers who were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia for various offenses committed in the past.”
”Notwithstanding the fact that it is the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine who is permitted entry into its territory, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are traditional and strategic partners who are willing to guard against a recurrence of this unfortunate incident.”
”In this regard, investigation is ongoing in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The affected passengers are, therefore, implored to keep calm, while the matter is being resolved.”
The House of Representatives, on its part, strongly criticized the Saudi government’s actions, terming it an embarrassing act.
The House called upon the Federal Government to promptly take necessary diplomatic measures to safeguard the nation’s image, ensure the full implementation of BASA, protect Nigerian national carriers operating in Saudi Arabia, and ensure the safety of Nigerian travelers.
Furthermore, the House mandated its committees on foreign affairs, interior, and pilgrims affairs to investigate the immediate and underlying circumstances surrounding the cancellation of already granted visas to 264 Nigerians upon their arrival in Jeddah aboard Air Peace. The committees are expected to provide a report within two weeks.
The House’s resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance presented by Kama Nkemkanma, Olumide Osoba, Makki Yalleman, and Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.
Nkemkanma, in moving the motion, clarified that Saudi Arabian authorities revoked the visas of all 264 passengers transported by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace. This occurred upon their arrival at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Monday, November 13, 2023. He highlighted that all passengers had undergone the Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System (APPS), which was live-monitored by Saudi Arabian authorities before the flight departed Nigeria.
Expressing concern, Nkemkanma stated that, according to sources at the Nigerian Embassy in Jeddah, even the Saudi immigration personnel could not identify the authorized entity for the visa cancellations. This confusion persisted despite the completion of the live-monitored APPS between the two countries, with the airline already en route to Jeddah.
He additionally observed that following the involvement of the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi, the authorities reportedly decreased the number of passengers slated for return to Nigeria from 264 to 170.
“Saudi Air has been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and Air Peace has been receiving high patronage and as a Nigerian carrier since it started flight service to the Saudi at relatively lower fares, thereby helping Nigeria to conserve foreign exchange.”
“Stakeholders in the sector have attributed the development to aero-politics, stating that it could be a way to force the Nigerian operator out of the route, and raised concerns that Nigerian carriers could actually be forced out of the route unless the government intervenes, probably using the principle of reciprocity.”
“The fact that this action of Saudi authorities is an infringement on the letters and intendments of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia which is still in force;”
He voiced apprehension over the occurrence of this unfortunate event and the diplomatic affront to Nigeria, especially considering that it took place during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Saudi Arabia.