Plateau Pilgrims Denied Israel Entry, Touring Jordan

[Abdulrahmon Mubarak Olayinka]

Five Christian pilgrims from Plateau State have been denied entry into Israel after successfully arriving in Jordan. The affected individuals are part of the first batch of 295 pilgrims participating in the 2026 Holy Land pilgrimage organized by the state.

Although the group had prepared to visit sacred Christian sites, the five pilgrims were issued visas valid only for Jordan. When they attempted to cross the border into Israel — regarded as the central destination for Christians because of its connection to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ — they were stopped and denied entry.

Rev. Wanson Yusufu Bagu, Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, explained that the complete visa list arrived very late on Friday, just hours before the Saturday orientation and farewell programme. According to him, the short notice made it impossible to identify and correct the visa limitations before departure.

He stated that if the issue had been discovered earlier, the affected pilgrims could have been informed in advance and given the choice to either remain in Jordan or cancel their journey. The development, he noted, came as a painful disappointment for those who had prepared spiritually and financially for months.

Rev. Bagu, however, emphasized that visa denials are not unusual in international travel. He pointed out that even travelers seeking entry into countries like the United Kingdom or the United States are sometimes denied visas and may need to reapply several times before gaining approval.

Despite the setback, the five pilgrims are not stranded. Jordanian authorities were reportedly notified in advance and have provided hotel accommodation, meals, transportation, and tour guides. The pilgrims will tour important biblical and historical sites within Jordan and remain engaged until the rest of the group completes their activities in Israel. The entire batch will eventually return home together from Jordan.

The first batch initially planned for 300 pilgrims eventually had 295 travelers. The Board has scheduled three batches in total, having forwarded 466 names for the second batch, with at least 350 expected to depart on March 5, 2026. The third batch will also include no fewer than 350 pilgrims. In total, Plateau State requested about 1,100 slots plus 13 carried over from the previous year. Addressing cost concerns, Rev. Bagu clarified that sponsorship amounts remain unchanged, noting that rising expenses are mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations. At the send-off ceremony, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy Josephine Piyo, urged the pilgrims to serve as good ambassadors and to pray for the nation and its leaders.

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