Representatives investigate Saudi Arabia’s cancellation of visas for 264 Nigerian pilgrims

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives declared that it had opened an investigation into the Saudi government’s decision to revoke the visas of 264 Nigerian nationals.

The Nigerian travellers and Air Peace, the company that flew them to Saudi Arabia, may have violated any aviation or consular regulations, according to a Monday statement from the federal ministry of foreign affairs.

The ministry is still looking into the event, according to Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Media and Communications Strategy, and would make its findings public when appropriate.

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The House of Representatives condemned the despicable action of the Saudi regime.

Additionally, it encouraged the Federal Government to make the necessary diplomatic moves to safeguard the country’s reputation, guarantee that BASA is fully implemented, safeguard Nigerian national carriers that are travelling to Saudi Arabia, and safeguard Nigerian tourists.

The House also directed its committees on pilgrims’ affairs, foreign affairs, and interior to look into the immediate and distant circumstances behind the cancellation of 264 Nigerians’ visas that had already been issued when they arrived in Jeddah on Air Peace, and to provide a report in two weeks.

Following a motion of urgent public concern made by Kama Nkemkanma, Olumide Osoba, Makki Yalleman, and Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, the House adopted the resolutions.

Moving the motion, Nkemkanma stated that on Monday, November 13, 2023, upon arrival at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, had their visas revoked by Saudi authorities;

Before the flight left Nigeria, he claims that every passenger went through the Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System, or APPS, which was also watched over in real time by Saudi Arabian officials.

He voiced concerns that, based on information from the Nigerian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi immigration officials were unable to identify the individual who had granted permission to cancel the visas, even after the two nations’ active Passenger Pass System (APPS) had ended and the plane had taken off for Jeddah.

He added that the authorities reportedly cut the number of people who will be returned to Nigeria from 264 to 170 after the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia intervened;

Since it began offering flights to Saudi Arabia at comparatively reduced costs, Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, has enjoyed significant patronage and has helped Nigeria preserve foreign cash by operating straight from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia;

Industry participants have linked the development to aeropolitics, suggesting that it may be a means of driving the Nigerian carrier off the route. They have also expressed concern that Nigerian carriers may really be forced off the route in the event that the government steps in, most likely through the application of the reciprocity principle;

“The fact that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), which is still in effect between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, is being violated by the actions of the Saudi authorities;”

He expressed worry that President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Saudi Arabia coincided with the incident and the diplomatic harm against Nigeria.

The foreign affairs ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs. Francisca Omayuli, added: “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, according to reports received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah.

The passengers were notified by Saudi Immigration officials that their visas had been revoked upon their arrival at the Hajj Terminal. As a result, 87 passengers were given admission into Jeddah after being cleared by immigration, while 177 passengers were forced to return to Nigeria on the same flight.

With the exception of eighteen travellers who were categorically barred from entering Saudi Arabia due to past transgressions, the Saudi authorities have not yet provided an explanation for the revocation of the visas.

Although it is a sovereign nation’s right to decide who is allowed access into its borders, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are longstanding and strategic allies who are prepared to take precautions to ensure that this regrettable event doesn’t happen again.

“In this context, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria are both conducting investigations. Therefore, it is requested that the impacted passengers remain composed while the issue is being handled.