By Christian George
As the quest to ‘japa’ is on the increase, the Nigerian government has warned its citizens who are embarking on pilgrimage with the hope of absconding from there to return to the country or face punishment.
The Executive Secretary, of Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Board, Rev. Fr. George Gorap, warned pilgrims undergoing the 2023 Christian pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel to shun any plans to abscond while performing the pilgrimage.
Gorap issued the warning on Sunday while pilgrims from Plateau, Ekiti, Osun and Kwara states were undergoing the pilgrimage exercise in Jordan and Israel for the 2022 batch.
He enjoined the pilgrims to remain law abiding and not engage in any activity that could soil the country’s image outside.
He said: “It is believed that people come here knowing exactly why they are here but on the other hand some people want to abscond and it is quite unfortunate,” adding that “the best place to be is at home, people make the mistake of thinking far from the essence and the importance of coming here as pilgrims.”
He reminded the pilgrims that humans were mere pilgrims on earth on a journey to heaven, charging them to return home to develop their country after the exercise.
“It is our hope that after this exercise, these Nigerians will return home and grow the country together.
“Therefore, I urge you to shun the urge to abscond because if you are caught, you will face the full wrath of the law,” he advised.
He explained that the exercise helps Christians to grow as well as reminds them of their final journey to heaven.