Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has urged Christian pilgrims from the state to refrain from travelling to Israel to observe the annual holy pilgrimage in the country due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Naija News reports that the region has been embroiled in hostilities between Israel and several Arab nations, resulting in numerous casualties.

Governor Bago conveyed this message on Sunday during the 2024 state Christmas Carol organized by the state government, where he encouraged the Christian community to exercise patience regarding this year’s pilgrimage to Israel, citing what he described as “the lack of peace in the Holy Land.”

Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, the governor emphasized that the current situation in the Middle East, particularly in Israel, presents a considerable risk to the safety of pilgrims.

He asserted that he could not, in good conscience, endorse a journey that would jeopardize the lives of Christian pilgrims, stating, “I am not willing to issue tickets that could lead to the death of our Christian brothers and sisters.”

Naija News reports that the Christmas Carol, which is part of activities to celebrate the 2024 Christmas, was organised in conjunction with the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria at the Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Hall in Minna,

“I appeal to the Christian faithful in the state to exercise patience over this year’s pilgrimage to Israel over the lack of peace in the Holy Land. Allowing pilgrims to travel there would be equivalent to signing their death warrants.

“I urge them to be patient and wait until peace returns to the Middle East. The safety of our citizens is paramount, and we will not compromise on that,” Governor Bago said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Bulus Yohanna, had earlier appealed to the Governor to consider Christians in the state for holy pilgrimage.

He said, “I want to take this opportunity to appeal to Your Excellency to consider pilgrimage to Jordan/Israel, Turkey/Jordan, and Rome or Greece, as there is an opportunity at the federal level for intending pilgrims.”

The CAN chairman urged Christians in the state to continue to pray for the governor while appealing to them to show love and share with others.