The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has suspended all pilgrimages to Israel and other parts of the Middle East following the escalation of tensions in the region.
The commission’s Executive Secretary, Stephen Adegbite, announced the decision during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday.
He said the suspension affects both pilgrimages organized directly by the commission and those arranged by private pilgrimage operators.
According to Adegbite, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure in response to the deteriorating security situation in Israel and across the Middle East.
He stated that all pilgrimage activities will remain on hold until normalcy and safety are fully restored in the region.
The NCPC boss also confirmed that more than 500 Nigerian pilgrims who made up the final batch of the 2025 pilgrimage exercise have safely returned to Nigeria. The group arrived in the country on Tuesday without incident.
The development comes amid ongoing regional instability, prompting several governments and organizations worldwide to reassess travel plans and issue safety advisories.
Further details are expected from the commission in the coming days.
