The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has suspended all pilgrimages to Israel and Jordan following heightened security concerns in the Middle East.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, announced the decision at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, shortly after confirming the successful completion of the 2025 Main Pilgrimage.
Bishop Adegbite disclosed that the last batch of 525 Christian pilgrims arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 4:30 a.m. on March 3, 2026, marking the official conclusion of the exercise. He stressed that the pilgrims returned “safely and intact without any issue.”
The pilgrimage, which commenced on December 29, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, saw over 4,000 Nigerians airlifted to Israel and Jordan. The Commission also recorded a milestone with the deployment of a Boeing 777-300 aircraft with a seating capacity of 525 for the airlift operation.
Explaining the suspension, the NCPC boss cited recent escalations in the Middle East and the declaration of a state of emergency by Israeli authorities, including restrictions on public gatherings.
He stated that the safety and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims remain non-negotiable, adding that all pilgrimages – both by the Commission and private operators – have been put on hold until the security situation in Israel and the wider Middle East normalises for international travel.
Bishop Adegbite urged Nigerians to remain calm over developments in the region, emphasising that the conflict has no religious dimension linked to Nigeria. He also called for prayers for lasting peace in the Middle East to prevent a humanitarian crisis.