The Federal Government has initiated an investigation into the cancellation of visas for 264 passengers who traveled to Jeddah from Lagos and Kano on Sunday by Saudi authorities.
The inquiry, as disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Al-Kasim Abdulkadir, aims to determine whether any consular or aviation regulations were violated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively looking into the matter, given the potential implications of procedural irregularities.
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The statement highlighted Nigeria’s recent participation in the Saudi-Africa summit, where the two nations engaged in bilateral discussions encompassing various sectors of the economy, resulting in mutually beneficial commitments.
Despite the passengers undergoing the Advanced Passengers Information System (APIS) during check-in procedures in Nigeria, it has been revealed that the Saudi Authorities closely monitored the process.
Al-Kasim noted that the Nigerian Embassy intervened in the situation, leading to a reduction in the number of passengers set to be repatriated, from the initial 264 to 177, after negotiations with the Saudi Authorities.
The investigation seeks to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the visa cancellations and ensure adherence to established protocols.