NCPC Suspends Jerusalem Pilgrimage Amid Israel Crisis

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) announced the suspension of the Jerusalem pilgrimage after the return of the final group of pilgrims to Nigeria, which occurred at 4:00 AM on Tuesday. This marked the conclusion of the pilgrimage exercise for 2025.

Celestin Toruka, the Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at the NCPC, confirmed the successful return of the last contingent of Christian pilgrims at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbit, the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, expressed gratitude towards President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, for their support, stating that without it, the pilgrimage would not have been possible.

The suspension was prompted by the imposition of a state of emergency in Israel, which necessitated a close monitoring of the situation in the Middle East. The NCPC urged Nigerians to pray for peace in Jerusalem and the wider region.