Nigerian government on Tuesday announced the immediate suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel due to the security situation in the Middle East.
Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, (NCPC) announced this in statement signed by Mr Celestine Toruka, the Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations in the commission on Tuesday in Abuja.
Adegbite said the suspension of pilgrimage was necessary because the Commission prioritises the safety and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims.
“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.
“This also includes the ones being conducted by the private pilgrimage operators until the situation normalises.
“The NCPC is monitoring the situation closely and appreciates the cooperation of stakeholders and the media,” he said.
Adegbite urged everyone to pray for peace in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
He revealed that the Commission has successfully concluded the 2025 Main Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.
He said that the last batch of Christian pilgrims arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,in Lagos March 3.
The executive secretary expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. 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,” he said.
The Middle East has been in turmoil over Israel and United States attack on Iran.
Many countries, including the U.S. citizens have urged their citizens to leave Middle Eastern countries including Israel.
The U.S. Department of State on Tuesday urged Americans to immediately leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, including Israel, due to safety risks amid a military escalation in the region.
The State Department “urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks,” Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar said in a post on social media platform X.
The ministry listed Israel, the occupied West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, as well as Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The United States and Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Iran on Saturday, sparking a regional escalation as Tehran fired missiles at U.S. bases in several Gulf states.
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