Plateau to airlift 466 pilgrims to Israel and Jordan on March 5

The Plateau State Christian Welfare Board says 466 intending pilgrims will leave for Israel and Jordan on March 5, 2026, as part of the state's second batch for this year's Christian pilgrimage.

The board's Executive Secretary, Wanson Bagu, told PUNCH Online in Jos on Thursday that mobilisation started in November and December 2025, while screening was conducted this year.

According to him, the state planned for about 1,100 pilgrims and also carried over 13 from the previous cycle, bringing the total projected movement to around 1,120.

He said about 800 pilgrims have already been screened. Bagu added that although 300 pilgrims were initially scheduled for the first batch, 295 eventually departed and are currently in Israel.

On the next movement plan, he said the submitted list for the second batch contains 466 pilgrims and that departure is fixed for March 5. He also disclosed that a third batch of at least 350 pilgrims is being planned, though no date has been announced.

Bagu said the board encountered visa-related setbacks in the first batch, with five pilgrims denied entry into Israel and retained in Jordan. He noted that arrangements were made for their stay and tour activities in Jordan.

He argued that such visa refusals are not peculiar to Nigerian pilgrims, saying even prominent individuals can be denied visas to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

The executive secretary also dismissed claims that more than N7 billion was spent on the pilgrimage exercise, stating that the full budget is below N4 billion and that sponsorship rates were maintained partly because of federal government intervention.

He urged pilgrims to represent Plateau and Nigeria positively, continue prayers for peace, and support practical efforts aimed at sustaining stability in the country.