According to Nigerian media reports, over 170 Nigerians aboard a flight bound for Saudi Arabia were denied entry upon arrival on Monday due to the abrupt revocation of their visas by Saudi authorities.
The reports suggest that 264 passengers, originating from Lagos and Kano in Nigeria, had obtained visas and completed stringent screenings before departure.
However, their visas were purportedly revoked while they were en route.
Upon landing, the Saudi authorities declined entry and instructed the Nigerian Air Peace airline to return them to Nigeria, as per additional reports.
While the Saudi authorities haven’t officially addressed the situation, affected passengers expressed surprise at the visa cancellations, stating they had fulfilled all entry prerequisites for the Middle Eastern country.
Following Nigerian embassy intervention, Saudi Arabia reportedly permitted entry to 87 passengers, while 177 were repatriated to Nigeria on Monday night.
The majority of these passengers had traveled to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), a pilgrimage to the Islamic holy city of Mecca, as outlined in local Nigerian media reports.
Source-BBC
