UAE says it did not restrict travels from Nigeria

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it did not restrict Nigerians from visiting the country.

The UAE embassy in Abuja in a statement on Thursday said social media reports saying it restricted travels from Nigeria are false.

A Twitter user had claimed the UAE suspended different categories of visa to Nigerians after it arrested Hushpuppi for alleged fraud.

Hushpuppi, a Nigerian whose real name is Ramoni Igbalode, was arrested in the UAE in June for alleged cyber-crimes.

Speaking on the claim which was reported to be false, the UAE said Nigeria is among the countries that it allowed entry after easing restrictions to fight COVID-19.

The statement read: “In response to recent press and social media reports regarding purported travel restrictions between the UAE and Nigeria, and in an affirmation of the growing bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, the UAE Embassy in Abuja denies the accuracy of the information contained in these reports.

“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE took a number of precautionary measures to combat the virus’ spread, including the temporary suspension on issuing UAE visas for all nationalities as of March 17, 2020.

“After entering the recovery phase of the pandemic, the UAE eased some measures on July 7, permitting visitors from various countries to adhere to the necessary precautionary measures, including by showing negative PCR test results within 92 hours of travelling to the UAE. This includes those visiting from Nigeria.”

It said travel between the UAE and Nigeria has remained limited owing to the closure of Nigeria’s airspace, adding: “the UAE Embassy in Abuja continues to work closely with the Nigerian Government to obtain the necessary approvals to facilitate travel between the two countries”.