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| Nigeria visit Saudi Arabia frequently for Hajj Photo: NAN |
- Over 189 Nigerians are in various detention centres across Saudi Arabia, the group said.
A civil society organisation, the Independent Hajj Reporters, has appealed to the Nigerian government to intervene on the fate of Nigerians detained in various prisons across Saudi Arabia.
The group said over 189 Nigerians have been in detention centres serving various jail terms in Saudi Arabia.
The group made this known in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, and publicity secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud, Sunday in Kaduna.
They stated that in view of the number of annual pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia, there is the need for the two countries to strengthen their bilateral ties.
“We urge federal government to use its diplomatic links with Saudi Arabia government in respect of 189 Nigerians currently serving jail terms in Saudi Arabian prisons for various offences as recently disclosed by Saudi Arabia Envoy to Nigeria, Foaud Abdulaziz Rajeh,” the group said.
The group said with over 2.5 million Nigerians going to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, Umrah yearly and with over 1.7 Million Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia, it became essential to establish a strong diplomatic relationship with the Saudi Arabia government for the benefit of both countries.
The group also said that the recent deportation of illegal expatriates by the Saudi Arabian authorities has left more than 526 Nigerians in prisons, even as some African countries have since intervened for their citizens.
While acknowledging the offences committed by the detained Nigerians, the group however called on the Nigerian government to explore diplomatic channels with a view to securing the possible release of the detainees.
It also called for the establishment of a bi-national commission between the two countries.
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