Nigeria has suspended all Christian pilgrimages to Israel and the occupied West Bank with immediate effect, citing growing security risks linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The decision was announced by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, which oversees the coordination of Christian pilgrimages from the country.
In a statement, the commission said the move was necessary to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian pilgrims as tensions continue to rise across the region. The suspension applies to both state-organised pilgrimages and trips arranged by private tour operators, and will remain in place until authorities believe conditions have stabilised.
The decision comes as fighting intensifies following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks against Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf. The unrest has led to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures across parts of the Middle East, leaving many travellers stranded.
Church leaders in Nigeria say the situation has already disrupted pilgrimage plans. Rev John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria told the BBC that around 600 Nigerian pilgrims who were in Israel and the West Bank when the conflict escalated have since been evacuated through Jordan and returned home safely.
Each year, thousands of Nigerian Christians travel to sacred Biblical sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth, with many journeys subsidised or organised by state governments. These pilgrimages hold deep spiritual importance, and many worshippers save for years to make the trip. Easter, which is approaching, is traditionally one of the busiest periods for Christian travel to the Holy Land.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has a large Christian population, particularly in its southern regions, and pilgrimages form a significant part of its religious calendar. The suspension has therefore affected thousands who were preparing to travel in the coming weeks.
The disruption has also extended to Muslim pilgrims. Many Nigerians attempting to travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage have been unable to leave due to flight cancellations. Unlike the annual Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of year and involves fewer rituals, making it popular among worshippers.
Some travellers have already faced last-minute setbacks. In the northern city of Kano, pilgrims reported being forced to abandon their journeys after flights were cancelled even as planes prepared for take-off. Travel agents say many customers are now back at home, waiting and hoping the situation will improve.
For now, Nigerian authorities say pilgrimages will remain suspended, with safety concerns taking priority as instability continues to ripple across the Middle East.
