; Lagos Suspends Airlifting
In the midst of the ongoing and tragic conflict between the State of Israel and the Hamas militant group, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to Nigerian pilgrims in the holy land against undertaking illegal and unauthorized trips.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam, delivered this cautionary message as Lagos State authorities made the decision to suspend the planned airlifting of pilgrims in the state on Monday.
Speaking during an orientation program for intending pilgrims who were part of the final batch for the Easter pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan, Pam emphasized that any pilgrim engaging in illegal activities would face deportation.
Pam stated, “The commission would not hesitate to deport any pilgrim who plans to abscond during pilgrimage.”
The orientation program for these intending pilgrims took place in both Abuja and Lagos and was supervised by the Mobilization Department of the commission.
Pam reassured consular and self-sponsored pilgrims that their safety remained a top priority for the commission. He expressed hope that the crisis in Israel would de-escalate soon, allowing the last batch of pilgrims the opportunity to visit Israel from Jordan.
Discussing the security situation in Israel, Pam clarified, “The current fragile security situation in Israel is mainly concentrated in Southern Israel, which is not within our pilgrimage route.”
According to a statement by the NCPC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka, the executive secretary revealed that the pilgrims would commence their journey on Tuesday and arrive in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday, where they would spend four days before proceeding to Israel, contingent upon the security situation at that time.
Pam explained that Jordan is home to numerous biblical holy sites from the Old Testament, while Israel represents the New Testament, providing pilgrims with a comprehensive Bible-themed experience.
He also mentioned that the fifth batch of pilgrims, currently on pilgrimage in Israel, had successfully crossed over to Amman, Jordan, and was scheduled to return to Nigeria on Monday.
