FG Suspends Pilgrimages to Israel Over Escalating Middle East Crisis

FG Suspends Pilgrimages to Israel Over Escalating Middle East Crisis

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 (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, in a statement issued in Abuja by the commission’s Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka.

Adegbite said the suspension became necessary in view of recent developments in the region, including the declaration of a state of emergency in Israel.

“The recent developments in the Middle East, including the imposition of a state of emergency in Israel, have led to the putting on hold of all pilgrimage exercises,” he said.

He added that the directive affects not only government-coordinated pilgrimages but also those organised by private tour operators, pending an improvement in the security environment.

“This also includes the ones being conducted by the private pilgrimage operators until the situation normalises,” he stated.

The NCPC boss explained that the safety and well-being of Nigerian pilgrims remain the commission’s top priority. He noted that the agency is closely monitoring events and will provide updates as the situation unfolds.

Adegbite called on Christians to pray for peace in Jerusalem and across the Middle East, where tensions have escalated following recent military confrontations involving Israel, Iran and the United States.

Despite the fresh suspension, he disclosed that the commission had successfully concluded its 2025 main pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.

According to him, the final batch of Nigerian pilgrims returned safely to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on March 3.

The executive secretary expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for their support.

“Without the President’s support, we would not have been able to conduct the five pilgrimages conducted since my appointment two years ago,” Adegbite said.

The suspension comes amid heightened instability in the Middle East, where military exchanges between Israel and Iran have triggered broader regional tensions.

The United States has also urged its citizens to leave several countries in the region, citing serious safety risks as hostilities continue.

Nigerian authorities say the pilgrimage ban will remain in place until conditions are deemed safe for travel.