We Have No Pilgrims in Israel Presently – NCPC …condemned massacre in Benue State
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has addressed a false circulating report claiming that Nigerian pilgrims are currently in Israel for pilgrimage activities.
The Executive Secretary, Bishop Stephen Adegbite has clarified that no Nigerian Christian pilgrims are in Israel, as the Commission’s 2024 Main Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan concluded in March 2025.
In a release by Celestine Toruka, the Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations, given the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, which escalated on June 13, 2025, Bishop Adegbite emphasized that no Christian pilgrimage will occur in Israel until the crisis is resolved. The Commission is closely monitoring the situation.
Bishop Adegbite dismissed reports of Nigerian pilgrims in Israel as false and unfounded, reiterating that NCPC is the statutory body responsible for coordinating Christian pilgrimages from Nigeria to Israel and other holy sites worldwide.
Earlier on, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has condemned the recent killings in Benue State, describing them as inhuman and callous.
In a released statement available to Providence News, Bishop Adegbite expressed concern over the precarious situation in Benue, where these killings continue unabated.
He specifically condemned the recent massacre in Guma Local Government Area, where numerous lives were lost, and emphasized that such acts against humanity cannot be allowed to persist. “I strongly condemn this dastardly act by the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against humanity,” Bishop Adegbite stated.
He added, “Justice must prevail at this time to serve as a deterrent to others and to forestall future occurrences.”
Bishop Adegbite extended his condolences to the Government and good people of Benue State, as well as to the families of the victims, praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace and that their families find the strength to bear their loss.
Bishop Adegbite urged the security agencies to intensify their efforts to apprehend those behind the massacre and ensure they face the consequences of their actions. He further emphasized the need for security measures to prevent such incidents from recurring, stressing that these acts are unbecoming and detrimental to Nigeria’s image.
