Lifestyle
Shehu Sani Raises Alarm As 600 Nigerian Pilgrims Escape In Saudi Arabia
By Benjamin Abioye
![Shehu Sani Nigerian Pilgrims Saudi Arabia](https://gwg.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Fullscreen-capture-1142020-44357-PM.bmp_-1.jpg)
Shehu Sani stated, “Over 600 Nigerians who traveled to Saudi for lesser Hajj refused to return, and this will compel the Saudi authorities to tighten their visa rules. Many of those who want to travel will likely be tossed.”
Former Senator Shehu Sani has raised an issue that has stirred quite a bit of reaction, though many responses have been casual or made in jest. Despite the lighthearted tone of some, the situation Sani highlighted is serious and worthy of attention.
In a post on his X page, Sani revealed that a significant number of Nigerian Muslim pilgrims who traveled to Saudi Arabia for a lesser Hajj have refused to return after their expected departure date. He expressed fears that the current situation could lead to new restrictions or even another visa ban, potentially affecting Nigerians who are already planning trips to Dubai.
He stated, “Over 600 Nigerians who traveled to Saudi for lesser Hajj refused to return, and this will compel the Saudi authorities to tighten their visa rules. Many of those who want to travel will likely be tossed.”
The post sparked numerous comments, with many people responding sarcastically, pointing to the hardships in Nigeria that may have motivated some pilgrims to stay behind.
GWG.ng recalls past diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the UAE, which led to a visa ban on Nigerians. The ban was linked to several disputes, and as a result, Emirates Airlines suspended flights to Nigeria, partly because the Central Bank of Nigeria couldn’t remit $85 million in revenue to the UAE.
However, after several discussions with the UAE government, the Nigerian Federal Government assured citizens that the visa ban would be lifted, and by July, it was officially removed, allowing Nigerians to travel to Dubai without restrictions.
See some reactions below:
@ndukwe_ume96970: Why nah? This shouldnāt happen under this Muslim Muslim presidency that have given them everything in this life, why nah?
@flourish007: They are waiting for the newly acquired luxurious jet to fly them home. BAT has just left to collect them personally š¤£š¤£š¤£š¤£
@GeorgeLambert_1: Aside terrible Heroes past and present, we have terrible citizens.
@E_Mbuyazi: They want to serve God even better there.
@Opeyemtech: Is it their fault?
Who would return to hunger just like that?
@NkyEzenwa: Who wants to return to lawless country, Hunger, Boko haram, killer herdsmen & Bandits, Poverty, lack of basic education and etcā¦.
@jidifeanyi: I don’t blame them, because the right people didn’t make it for the Hajj, the officials probably fixed in their cronies
@dammygtnet: We should come together and fix our country. Nigeria is more or less a social prison where everyone is trying to escape. But I condemn such an act!
@jgoldmonye: let them pick up a menial job of street swiping there, it is better than the Nigeria that Tinubu and Buhari has bequeathed to us all
@mijihadiza: Aboki were love Nigeria before don the japaš š¤£
Bola u did this one.
Hardship na ur mate.
@psalmpics: Very Good at least save some 90billion
@InnocentBassey7: They wanted a Muslim Muslim ticket and they got it soon after they ran away to Saudi and want disappear from from hajj, where are they running šāāļø to
@OsmondEngr: Opportunity come but once ā¦ā¦if u refuse to take your own na you sabiā¦ā¦
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