Saudi Arabia has reportedly canceled the visas of all 264 passengers who arrived in Jeddah from Nigeria on an Air Peace flight from Kano.

The Saudi authorities insisted that the airline return the passengers to Nigeria.

While 87 passengers were allowed to remain, 177 were directed to return on the Air Peace flight.

The cancellation of visas occurred upon arrival, despite the passengers going through the Advanced Passengers Prescreening System (APPS) during check-in in Nigeria, monitored by Saudi authorities.

The Nigerian embassy intervened, leading to a reduction in the number of passengers to be returned from 264 to 177.

The reason for the visa cancellations remains unclear.