Nigerian authorities have suspended all pilgrimages to Israel and the occupied West lands with immediate effect, citing security risks arising from the escalating Middle East conflict. The announcement was made by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), which said the decision prioritises the safety and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims.
The regional conflict intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iran reportedly killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, triggering widespread airspace closures and flight cancellations across the Middle East.
Rev. John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria said about 600 Nigerian pilgrims who had been in Israel and the West Bank were evacuated through Jordan and safely returned to Nigeria after the conflict erupted on Saturday. The suspension covers both government-sponsored pilgrimages and trips organised by private tour operators. Officials indicated that the ban will remain in place until the security situation in the region stabilises.
Thousands of Nigerian Christians travel annually to biblical sites such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth, with many planning their journeys around Easter, which falls in a month.
Meanwhile, some Nigerian Muslims travelling for Umrah to Mecca have also been affected by flight cancellations, leaving several pilgrims stranded, including travellers in Kano who had already secured tickets and accommodation.