The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has addressed media reports concerning the deportation of 264 Nigerian passengers upon their arrival in the Kingdom, emphasizing that the action was not specifically targeted at Nigerians.

On Monday, Saudi Arabian authorities revoked the visas of all 264 passengers who had been transported from Nigeria by Air Peace, the country’s main airline, upon their arrival from Kano. The authorities insisted that the passengers be returned to Nigeria.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Saudi Embassy clarified that “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.”

The embassy emphasized that “this procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries.”

Similarly, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged in a statement released on Tuesday that it was “investigating the matter to see if any consular or aviation rules have been flouted.”

Yusuf Tuggar, Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that the ministry will take steps to prevent similar occurrences that affect the well-being of Nigerian citizens in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Four Ds” strategy.

The Royal Saudi Embassy also issued a set of precautionary measures for individuals seeking to visit the Arabian Peninsula.

The embassy statement stressed that “it is important for all visitors to adhere to the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Furthermore, the statement advised that “all passengers should carefully review all documents to ensure their compliance with the conditions before departing from their countries to the Kingdom.”