As a result of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas terrorists of Palestine, the Lagos State government has airlifted 310 people who went to Israel on a holy pilgrimage back to Nigeria.
This is as the state government has put on hold the airlifting of some intending pilgrims from Lagos to Israel, earlier scheduled for Tuesday (today).
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this in a tweet via his personal Twitter handle on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
Sanwo-Olu thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs for evacuating 310 Nigerian pilgrims from the war zone.
He shared the news with photos of the pilgrims at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport waiting to collect their luggage from the baggage carousel.
The airlifted pilgrims concluded their pilgrimage activities on Sunday.
“Good morning Lagos, I’m happy to announce that we have successfully airlifted and returned all three hundred and ten (310) citizens who went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Israel.
“I want to thank you all for your concern and I must also express my joy to our Ministry of Home Affairs for a job well done,” Sanwo-Olu said via his X handle.
Giving reason for the suspension of airlifting of intending pilgrims to Israel on Monday, the Board Secretary of Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB), Florence Gbafe, had said the decision was as a result of keen observation of security situations in Israel.
To all in the second batch of pilgrimage to Israel, kindly note that the pilgrimage is now on hold due to the war situation in Israel. Further information will be communicated as and when due please,” Gbafe said.
