Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said on Friday, has disclosed that 800 Nigerians have been arrested and detained by the Saudi Arabia’s government for various offenses particularly consular cases.
Nigerians wishing to migrate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without proper documentation have been told to pull the brakes.
The Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia is intervening but urged Nigerians to resist the urge to break the laws of other countries.
A statement by Gabriel Odu of Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit said:
The statement reads, “The attention of the Management of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has been drawn to a communication from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Saudi Arabian authorities intensifying crackdown on undocumented foreigners in their Country.
“The letter stated that Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has between October and December, 2022, intensified joint operations across the Country targeted at riding the Kingdom of undocumented irregular migrants.
“In the Communication to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Saudi Arabian government noted that about Forty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Eight (45,458) foreigners ranging from violation of residency rules, illegal border crossing attempts and irregular migrants for labour-related offences are in the country.
“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM), therefore, urges Nigerians travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without proper documentation not to do so as Saudi authorities have heightened a clamp down on irregular migrants.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has about 800 Nigerians arrested and detained in for various offences particularly Consular issues since the clamp down began in October, 2022.. Though the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi is intervening in this matter , NIDCOM urges Nigerians to resist breaking the laws of other countries
“In the same vein, President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the United Arab Emirates President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to lift the suspension of the blanket visa ban on Nigerians travelling to the UAE.
“The UAE visa ban came as a result of issues associated with alleged criminality and illegalities of some Nigerians living in Dubai.
“The Commission has appealed to Nigerian citizens that if they must travel, they should travel with proper documentation and legitimately too.