The stranded Nigerians at the Dubai International Airport in UAE lamented that they were detained without any explanation by the officials.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has charged Nigerians to always clearly state their visa preference to avoid confusion and embarrassment.
This comes after some Nigerians in a 42-second video circulated on the internet complained of ill-treatment and denial of entry by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) airport officials on Wednesday.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the stranded Nigerians at the Dubai International Airport in UAE lamented that they were detained without any explanation by the officials.
Reacting to the development in a statement, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli said the stranded Nigerians had issues at the point of entry because they did not apply for the appropriate visas.
“They were denied entry and advised to return to their country and apply for the appropriate visas,” she said.
“Those who claimed their family members were on another flight were told to wait at the airport pending their arrival.”
One of the victims and Twitter user, Dinchi, @dunchichi, shared a 40-second video of their experience and photos.
She also lamented that their passports had been seized.
In the video, some Nigerians were seen and heard saying, "We have human rights. If I tell the United Nations about this thing, it doesn't make sense. I got my visa. I used my money to buy a ticket. I came to visit."
However, a man suspected to be an official at the airport could be heard repeatedly saying "go outside, go outside, just go outside.
A female voice could not be seen saying, "That is what is happening right now. We are stranded in Dubai. Look at all of us. There are so many of us. Somebody should help us." While a "We did not commit anything," someone added.
In a series of tweets, Dinchi wrote, “I'm at Dubai International Airport and myself and some tiger Nigerians with valid visas are being held in a room hours after arriving with no explain and no information on what we can do. Please help me. There's more than 20 of us.
“This is the situation happening with Nigerians arriving Dubai today 31st August 2022. Detained and our passports seized. Help!
"If they are sending us back. Then they should send us back instead of holding us here without reason after long flights from different destinations.
"Is it a crime to be Nigerian? How can a visa be issued to you and then you get held at the airport without information. My sister that came to see how she can help is not being given any information either and I have not been able to see her.
"Nigerians should stop visiting Dubai. Cos we cannot be humiliated this way by the same people that issued us visas. Use your money to come and get humiliated. Nah.
"My sister had to go through immigration to get me released. It was a tedious process. Others are still there and I don't know their status. What happens if you have no family here? Nobody knows what is going on."
Hundreds of Nigerians in the UAE have recently lost their jobs while many have been stranded for months after the Asian country stopped renewing Direct Employment Visas for Nigerians.