Plateau Pilgrims Denied Entry to Israel, Tour Jordan Instead

A total of 295 Christian pilgrims from Plateau State, Nigeria, who were part of the first batch scheduled for a pilgrimage to Israel, were denied entry due to visa issues. The pilgrims were informed at the last minute that their visas for Israel were not valid, prompting a change in plans to tour Jordan instead.

Rev. Wanson Yusufu Bagu, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, stated that the visa denial was not uncommon and could happen even to wealthy individuals. The group will now visit significant biblical sites in Jordan and will be accommodated with meals and dedicated transport.

This situation arose amidst a broader context of Middle East crises, including tensions related to US-Israel relations and Iran. The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission has scheduled further batches of pilgrims, with the second batch expected to depart on March 5, 2026, and a total of approximately 1,100 slots requested for the pilgrimage.