By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
In a dramatic early-morning finale, the final batch of Nigerian Christian pilgrims returned home at exactly 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, bringing the 2025 Main Pilgrimage exercise to a decisive close amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The pilgrims landed safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, marking the official conclusion of this year’s spiritual journey to Israel and Jordan, a programme that now faces an abrupt suspension due to unfolding security developments abroad.
At a charged press briefing in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, declared the exercise a success, underscoring that all batches were transported and returned without incident.
But even as celebrations trailed the final arrival, a sobering announcement followed.
Bishop Adegbite confirmed that recent developments in Israel including the declaration of a state of emergency have compelled authorities to put all pilgrimage activities on hold.
The suspension affects not only government-coordinated pilgrimages but also those run by private operators.
“The safety and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims remain our top priority,” he said firmly.
The decision effectively freezes future pilgrimage schedules until stability returns to the Holy Land, signalling a cautious but necessary retreat in the face of mounting uncertainty in the region.
In an emphatic show of appreciation, Adegbite credited President Bola Tinubu for what he described as unwavering support, revealing that five pilgrimage exercises have been successfully conducted under his leadership within two years.
He also extended gratitude to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for their roles in ensuring seamless operations.
“Without the President’s support, these pilgrimages would not have been possible,” Adegbite stated.
As uncertainty looms over future exercises, the Commission says it is closely monitoring the situation in Israel and the broader Middle East.
It called on Nigerians and the Christian faithful to pray for peace in Jerusalem and across the troubled region.
For now, the 2025 pilgrimage chapter closes on a note of relief all pilgrims accounted for, all flights completed but with a cloud of geopolitical tension hanging over what comes next.
The Holy Land may be sacred ground, but this year’s pilgrimage ends with a stark reminder: faith journeys are not immune to global storms.
