Just in: Saudi authorities give reasons for deporting 177 Nigerians 

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has clarified that the visas of Air Peace passengers recently deported to Nigeria were cancelled because they did not meet the entry requirements of the country.

The Saudi Embassy disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

The statement noted that the applicable rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia were not met, adding that the travellers submitted incorrect information.

The Saudi embassy said the deportation also affected other citizens and not Nigerians alone.

“The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to make a clarification about the media reports and Social Media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom,” the embassy said.

“The passengers whom were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t fulfill 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.

“The Royal Embassy would like to stress the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.

“Furthermore, all passengers should review all the documents to determine their conformity with the conditions prior departing from their countries to the Kingdom.”

Recall that 264 passengers on an Air Peace flight were deported from Jeddah on Monday after leaving Nigeria on Sunday.

Saudi authorities said they cancelled their visas and ordered the airline to take them back to Nigeria because they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that doesn’t apply to them.

87 of the passengers were later allowed to remain in Saudi, while 177 passengers were flown back by the airline.