Irregular Migration: Saudi Arabia Nabs 800 Nigerians

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Crime Watch, Latest Headlines Friday, February 17th, 2023

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia says it has arrested and detained about 800 Nigerians for various offences which border on irregular migration.

This was announced in a statement signed by the Head of, Public Relations Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Gabriel Odu, on Friday.

The Saudi authorities stated that 45,458 illegal migrants were in the country and that was why they swung into action to get rid of the undocumented migrants.

The African Examiner recalls that the Nigerian government had tasked Nigerians travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to endure proper documentation as the Saudi authorities have increased a clampdown on irregular migrants.

The statement read: “The attention of the Management of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, 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 the 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 45,458 foreigners ranging from violation of residency rules, illegal border crossing attempts and irregular migrants for labour-related offences are in the country.

“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 for various offences particularly Consular issues since the clampdown 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, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), 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 commission has appealed to Nigerian citizens that if they must travel, they should travel with proper documentation and legitimately too.”