The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has suspended all pilgrimages to Israel and Jordan following rising security concerns in the Middle East.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, announced the decision on Tuesday during a media briefing in Lagos, shortly after confirming the successful completion of the 2025 Main Pilgrimage.
Bishop Adegbite revealed that the final batch of 525 Christian pilgrims arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 4:30 a.m. on March 3, 2026, bringing the exercise to a close.
He noted that all the pilgrims returned “safely and intact without any issue.”
The 2025 pilgrimage began on December 29, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with more than 4,000 Nigerians airlifted to Israel and Jordan.
The Commission also recorded a significant operational milestone with the deployment of a Boeing 777-300 aircraft, which has a seating capacity of 525 passengers, for the airlift.
Explaining the suspension, the NCPC boss cited escalating tensions in the Middle East and the declaration of a state of emergency by Israeli authorities, including restrictions on public gatherings.
He stressed that the safety, security and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims remain paramount, adding that all pilgrimages — whether organised by the Commission or private operators — have been put on hold until the security situation in Israel and the wider Middle East stabilises for safe international travel.
Bishop Adegbite urged Nigerians not to panic over developments in the region, emphasising that the conflict has no religious implications for Nigeria.
He also called on citizens to pray for lasting peace in the Middle East to avert a potential humanitarian crisis.
