Following the ongoing crisis in Israel, Pilgrimages to Israel and Jordan have been suspended, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) announced on Tuesday.
In a statement issued and signed by the Head of Operations of the NCPC, Abu Okpanachi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Yakubu Pam, the Commission said the suspension is pending the time things improve in the nation.
Earlier, the Commission was set to airlift Consulars and self-sponsored intending pilgrims in the later hours of today to Amman in Jordan, where they were to spend four days before moving to Israel.
However, Okpanachi conveyed the regrets of the Commission, pledging that the exercise would commence as soon as the situation in the country improved.
The statement reads as follows “I am directed to inform you that our planned pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan has been postponed due to the prevailing crisis situation in Southern Israel.
“The Executive Secretary deeply regrets every inconvenience this will cause you and prays that the good Lord will give peace in our hearts, knowing that all things work together for good for us who love God.
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“Kindly be assured that as soon as the situation improves, the Commission will commence the pilgrimage exercise. May the good Lord honour you greatly for your understanding.”
Meanwhile, the NCPC Executive Secretary, Yakubu Pam, has congratulated the fifth batch of pilgrims on their successful pilgrimage exercise in Israel.
The pilgrims who were mostly the first batch of Lagos contingents, landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos at exactly 12:50 am local time today, October 10, 2023, after leaving the country on the 30th of September, for the 2023 Easter pilgrimage completion exercise.
The NCPC boss expressed excitement for their safe arrival while commending their good conduct throughout the exercise.
“I am very excited to know that our fifth batch of pilgrims returned safely to the country, sound and complete,” he said.
He further commended them for their calm disposition, patience, comportment and resilience throughout their eight nights and nine days Pilgrimage experience in the Holy Land, while reiterating that the safety of the Nigerian pilgrims would continue to be the top priority of his Commission.