Saudi Arabian Government has noted that about Forty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Eight foreigners ranging from violation of residency rules, the illegal border crossing attempts and irregular migrants for labour-related offences are in the country.
In a letter sent to the Federal Government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation which stated that Saudi Arabian authorities intensifying crackdown on undocumented foreigners in their country.
However, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has revealed that about Eight Hundred (800) Nigerians arrested and detained 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.
According to a statement from Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) who attention was drawn to crackdown through Secretary of the Federation, urged Nigerians not to travel to Saudi Arabia without proper documentation.
The Letter which 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 same vein, Nigerian 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 country.
It could be recalled that UAE visa ban came as a result of issues associated with alleged criminality and illegalities of some Nigerians living in Dubai.
While the Commission has appealed to Nigerian citizens that if they must travel, they should travel with proper documentation and legitimately too.