Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has advised Christian pilgrims in the state to refrain from traveling to Israel for the holy pilgrimage this year due to ongoing safety concerns in the Middle East. Speaking at the 2024 state Christmas Carol event, which was organized in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the governor emphasized the security risks posed by the conflict in Israel, urging the faithful to be patient until peace is restored in the region.
The Middle East has been embroiled in conflict, with violence escalating between Israel and several Arab countries, making the area unsafe for travel. Governor Bago, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, described allowing pilgrims to travel to the region as a potential death sentence due to the lack of peace in the Holy Land. He made it clear that he could not, in good conscience, authorize such a trip while the safety of the pilgrims remained at risk.
In his statement, Bago called for a delay in pilgrimage plans until the situation in the Middle East improves, underscoring the paramount importance of protecting the lives of Niger State’s Christian citizens. The governor assured that no pilgrimage tickets would be issued under the current circumstances, as he could not jeopardize lives for the sake of the religious journey.
While the governor expressed his concerns, the chairman of the state chapter of CAN, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, appealed to the governor to consider alternative pilgrimage destinations such as Jordan, Turkey, or Greece, where Christian pilgrims can also connect with their faith safely. Rev. Yohanna also called on the Christian community to continue praying for the governor’s leadership and to show love and solidarity with one another during this festive season.
