The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Professor Stephen Adegbite has announced the resumption of Christian pilgrimage to Israel, months after the Commission suspended the exercise over security concerns arising from the Israel-Iran conflict.
Adegbite made the announcement at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, explaining that Nigerian pilgrims will now be permitted to travel to Israel exclusively through the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
He said the Commission decided against routing pilgrims through Jordan, citing prevailing security concerns.
“Jordan is not safe at the moment, and the Commission cannot take that risk,” he said.
The NCPC had suspended Christian pilgrimage to Israel in February following heightened tensions triggered by the conflict involving Israel, Iran and the United States.
Adegbite expressed confidence in the safety arrangements put in place for pilgrims, noting that all previous Nigerian pilgrims returned safely and assuring that the 2026 pilgrimage exercise would be conducted without incident.
The NCPC boss also offered prayers for peace in Nigeria, seeking divine intervention for President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, government officials, and all six geopolitical zones, including the North-East, North-Central, North-West, South-East, South-South and South-West.
