The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) says it will arrest and prosecute guarantors of pilgrims who abscond while on pilgrimage to the holy land.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Reverend Yakubu Pam gave the warning in Owerri at a ceremony to commence this year’s pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
Reverend Pam while addressing the first batch of 1,000 intending pilgrims from Imo state explained that the commission had mapped out strategies to check incidences of pilgrims absconding from the holy land.
The Governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma said the state would bankroll all expenses that will be incurred by the pilgrims noting that the decision was in line with his vow to support evangelism.
Chairman, Imo State Pilgrim Welfare Board, the Reverend Father Gilbert Alaribe noted that the state government had not sponsored pilgrim to the holy land since 2014.
300 intending pilgrims who constituted the first batch left for Portharcourt international airport where they were airlifted to the holy land. (RN)
