Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has advised Christian pilgrims in the state to postpone their plans to visit Israel.
The governor cited the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as the reason for his warning.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the region has witnessed intense warfare between Israel and some Arab countries, resulting in significant casualties.
Governor Bago made the disclosure on Sunday during the 2024 state Christmas Carol celebration, organized by the state government in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). He appealed to the Christian faithful to exercise patience, citing the lack of peace in the Holy Land as a major concern.
“I urge you to wait until peace returns to the Middle East,” Governor Bago said. “Allowing pilgrims to travel to Israel at this time would be equivalent to signing their death warrants.”
He emphasized that the safety of citizens is paramount and that he would not authorize a trip that would put Christian pilgrims’ lives at risk.
The governor’s representative, Deputy Speaker Afiniki Dauda, said that the governor is not willing to compromise on the safety of citizens, urging them to be patient and wait for a more peaceful time to undertake the pilgrimage.
In response, the chairman of the state chapter of CAN, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, appealed to Governor Bago to consider Christians in the state for holy pilgrimage. He highlighted opportunities at the federal level for intending pilgrims to visit Jordan/Israel, Turkey/Jordan, and Rome or Greece.
His words: “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.”
