ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has announced plans to resume Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land on November 23, after suspending the exercise for 10 months over security concerns linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
The commission’s Executive Secretary, Stephen Adegbite, disclosed this during a news briefing in Abuja on Friday, saying the suspension was introduced in January to protect Nigerian pilgrims following the outbreak of war in Israel.
Adegbite said the commission had monitored developments in the region and considered the prevailing situation sufficiently improved to begin preparations for the resumption. “In January, when the war broke out in Israel, we suspended pilgrimage activities because the safety of Nigerians is paramount,” he said, adding that the commission had observed what he described as relative peace.
He said the 2026 pilgrimage would be officially flagged off in Abuja, with intending pilgrims expected to travel between November 23 and December 31. The exercise could, however, extend to January 9, 2027. According to Adegbite, the commission has written to relevant government institutions, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ahead of the planned exercise.
The NCPC chief also disclosed that 534 Nigerians were caught in the crossfire during the conflict this year but were evacuated without casualties. He said emergency evacuation arrangements were made through Jordan and Istanbul, Turkey, before the affected Nigerians were returned to the country. Adegbite further announced plans to involve journalists in the pilgrimage, with some expected to travel to Israel to report on the safety of Nigerian pilgrims and the exercise.
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