The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, on Tuesday, announced the suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel and Jordan as a result of the ongoing war between Israelis and Hamas.
The Head of Operations of the NCPC, Abu Okpanachi, disclosed this in a statement on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Yakubu Pam.
Israel is reeling under a deadly attack by Hamas militants who stormed the border fence under a barrage of rocket fire on Saturday morning and killed more than 900 people inside Israel.
In response, Israel is carrying out a massive air and artillery bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip that has so far killed at least 687 people in the coastal enclave.
The NCPC was set to airlift consular and self-sponsored intending pilgrims in the later hours of Tuesday to Amman in Jordan, where they were to spend four days before moving to Israel.
But Okpanachi said the commission changed its plans.
“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.
“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,” Okpanachi said in the statement.
Meanwhile, the NCPC Executive Secretary, 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 about 12.50 am local time on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, after leaving the country on September 30, for the 2023 Easter pilgrimage completion exercise.
Pam expressed excitement for their safe arrival while commending their good conduct throughout the period of the exercise.
“I am very excited to know that our fifth batch of pilgrims returned safely to the country, sound and complete,” he said.
Also, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed excitement over the safe return of the 310 Christian pilgrims airlifted to the Kingdom of Jordan and Israel by the Lagos State Government for pilgrimage exercise.
In a post to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the governor wrote, “Good morning Lagos. I’m happy to announce that we have successfully airlifted and returned all three hundred and ten (310) citizens who went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel. I want to thank you all for your concern and I must also express my joy to our Ministry of Home Affairs for a job well done. We pray for peace in Israel, and indeed the world at large.”
The return of the pilgrims officially ended the pilgrimage activities for the first batch of Easter edition of the pilgrimage.
Speaking during the arrival of the pilgrim to the airport in Ikeja on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, who also doubles as the leader of the pilgrims in the Holy Land, appreciated Sanwo-Olu for demonstrating true leadership that made the journey possible.
He also commended the governor for the interest shown in the safety of the pilgrims since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict started some days ago.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mrs Florence Gbafe, also expressed excitement that all the pilgrims who took part in the pilgrimage returned to Nigeria without any record of casualty or abscondment.
According to The Economic Times, the death toll in the Israel-Hamas war nears 1,900 as Hamas attacks Israeli city of Ashkelon after warning residents to leave as the war enters its fourth day.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Tuesday that nearly 200,000 people or nearly a tenth of the population, have fled their homes in Gaza since the start of hostilities.
According to Reuters, the UN noted that shortages of water and electricity due to a blockade are expected.
Displacement has escalated dramatically across the Gaza Strip, reaching more than 187,500 people since Saturday.
But the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said, on Tuesday, that Nigerians in the country as well as citizens of other countries were safe.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Freeman said, “Everyone is safe in Israel. Nigerians are safe. We will do everything we can to avoid civilian casualties. But the civilians will get killed. We should be prepared for that.”
He also described Saturday’s attack by Hamas as the gravest since the Holocaust.
“Hamas are a terror group that have no mercy, and have decided that they want to slaughter the Israelis and destroy the State of Israel.
“Nearly a thousand Israelis were murdered in one day. That was the gravest number of Jews killed in one day since the Holocaust. But, do you know it is not only Israelis? They killed Arabs, they killed Israeli-Arabs, they killed others from different countries.”