The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all Christian pilgrimages to Israel following the worsening security situation in the Middle East.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Stephen Adegbite, in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Celestine Toruka.
Adegbite said the suspension became imperative in view of recent developments in Israel, including the declaration of a state of emergency, stressing that the safety and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remained paramount.
According to him, the directive affects all pilgrimage exercises to Israel, including those being organised by private tour operators, until the security situation improves.
“The recent developments in the Middle East, including the imposition of a state of emergency in Israel, have necessitated the suspension of all pilgrimage exercises,” he said.
He added that the commission was closely monitoring the situation and would continue to engage relevant stakeholders, assuring Nigerians that further updates would be communicated as events unfold.
The NCPC boss called on Christians and other well-meaning Nigerians to pray for peace in Jerusalem and across the Middle East, expressing hope that normalcy would soon return to the region.
Despite the fresh suspension, Adegbite disclosed that the commission had successfully concluded its 2025 main pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.
He said the final batch of Nigerian pilgrims returned safely to the country on March 3, landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, without any reported incident.
Adegbite expressed appreciation to Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for their support to the commission.
“Without the support of the President, we would not have been able to successfully conduct the five pilgrimages carried out since my appointment two years ago,” he said.
The suspension comes amid heightened tensions in parts of the Middle East, with several countries reviewing travel advisories and tightening security measures.
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