The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has announced the suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The decision was disclosed on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Mr. Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at the NCPC.
Responding to recent media reports suggesting that Nigerian pilgrims were currently in Israel, Bishop Adegbite refuted the claims. He clarified that no Nigerian Christian pilgrims are in Israel at this time, as the 2024 pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan concluded in March 2025.
“Given the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, which escalated on June 13, no Christian pilgrimage will occur in Israel until the crisis is resolved. The Commission is closely monitoring the situation,” Bishop Adegbite stated.
The NCPC, which is the statutory body responsible for coordinating Christian pilgrimages from Nigeria to Israel and other holy sites, emphasized that the safety and security of pilgrims remain its utmost priority.
As the Middle East crisis continues to unfold, the Commission assured the public that it will keep assessing the situation and make further decisions in the best interest of all intending pilgrims.
