Reps Condemn Cancellation of Visas of 264 Nigerians by Saudi Authority

By Linda Ike

House of Representatives has condemned the cancellation of visas of 264 Nigerians on arrival at Saudi Arabia by the countries authorities.

The house urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently take such diplomatic steps to protect the image of the nation by ensuring the full implementation of the BASA, as well as protect Nigerian national Carriers flying into Saudi Arabia.

Recalled that Saudi Arabia Authorities on November 13, 2023 cancelled the visas of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier,, Air Peace on
arrival at Jeddah.

Hon. Kama Nkemkanma and three other Lawmakers.who sponsored the motion at plenary on Tuesday noted that all the passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System, which was also monitored live by the Saudi Arabia authorities before the flight left Nigeria;

According to the Lawmakers, sources at the Nigerian Embassy in Jeddah, disclosed that the Saudi immigration personnel could not locate who authorized the cancellation of the visas.

They said that upon the intervention of Nigerian Embassy in Saudi, the authorities were said to have reduced the number of passengers that would be returned back to Nigeria from 264 to 170

The lawmakers expressed worry that the unfortunate events and diplomatoc slight in Nigeria happened when the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu is on a state visit to Saudi.

The house mandated the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Interior and Pilgrims Affairs to inquire into the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the cancellation of already granted visas of Nigerians