The seizure of passports and delay of Nigerian travelers by immigration officials at Dubai airport may not be unconnected to the cult clashes by Nigerians in the country.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had in July suspended the issuance of visas to Nigerians after cult clashes between rival groups Eiye and Aiye erupted in Sharjah.
The police in a statement on July 21, 2022 said the suspects are of African origin and warned residents against engaging in violence.
“The Dubai Police has arrested a group of people, who were engaged in a heated argument in their residence at late hours. The group of African people appeared in a viral video on social media platforms while fighting in a public place and damaging properties,” the statement read.
Nigerian immigrants on Wednesday, 31 August, 2022 were stranded in Dubai after their passports were seized by immigration officials.
According to one of those detained on twitter, it took the intervention of her sister who stays there to get her out, reporting that many people are still stuck at the airport.
The tweep by the name ‘Dinchi, on twitter shared her experience in the hands of the immigration officers as well as that of some other Nigerians who were detained.
She said the officers seized their passports and ordered them to go and stay outside without any information whatsoever.
Dinchi, who shared video and photo from the scene claimed that the incident happened on Wednesday.
She tweeted, “This is the situation happening with Nigerians arriving Dubai today 31st August 2022. Detained and our passports seized. Help!”
“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?
“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.”
In the video, some Nigerians can be seen attempting to state their cases to an official but he was merely insisting that they get out of his office.
In her last update, Dinchi revealed that she had been able to get out but not so with the others.
“My sister had to go through immigration to get me released.
