Saudi Arabia to repatriate detained Nigerians- Envoy

Nigeria's  Consul General in Jeddah, Amb. Ahmed Umar, on Tuesday said that Nigerians still detained in Saudi Arabia would be repatriated home soon.

Umar said in a statement made available in Abuja that the ongoing deportation of illegal immigrants in Saudi Arabia followed the expiration of the Nov.30, 2013, deadline given to such persons to regularise their stay.

He, however, said that the last batch of 508 Nigerians, who voluntarily decided to return home, was repatriated from Saudi Arabia on Dec. 30, 2013.

Umar thanked the Federal Government for promptly responding to the distress call of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.

The envoy also appealed to the various state governments to assist the returnees to reintegrate into the society.

In December, last year, Umar said the consulate had issued no fewer than 1,000 Emergency Travel Certificates to Nigerians living illegally in Saudi Arabia to enable them to return home.

He said Saudi authorities had repatriated more than 1,200 Nigerians since the clampdown on illegal immigrants began in that country. NAN