Oluwale Bamidele, writes from Lagos
Nigeria has suspended all Christian pilgrimages to Israel and the West Bank with immediate effect, citing growing security concerns as the conflict spreading across the Middle East intensifies.
The decision was announced by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), the federal agency responsible for organizing and supervising Christian pilgrimages from Nigeria to the Holy Land. Officials said the move was necessary to ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens amid rapidly deteriorating security conditions in the region.
According to the commission, the suspension applies to all state-sponsored pilgrimages as well as privately arranged tours coordinated through licensed operators. The restriction will remain in place until authorities determine that travel to the region is safe again.
The decision follows a sharp escalation in hostilities triggered by joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The attack has triggered retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Iran against Israel and several U.S.-allied Gulf nations, widening fears of a broader regional war.
The conflict has also disrupted international aviation. Several countries in the Middle East have closed their airspace or restricted flights, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute services. As a result, thousands of travelers have been stranded across the region.
Church leaders in Nigeria confirmed that hundreds of Nigerian pilgrims already in the Holy Land when the conflict began have been safely evacuated.
