BY BECKY OLAJIDE, ABUJA – The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has vowed that it would not spear any pilgrim who absconds during Pilgrimage as it is determined to hold their guarantors liable.
The Commission equally stated that it is committed to achieving zero abscondment of pilgrims during Pilgrimage, a feat which was achieved last year during its maiden pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan.
Consequently, the NCPC said it is going to march words with action as it had secured the arrest of a guarantor, Mr Chidi Ogbuehi with the assistance of the security agencies.
Chidi Ogbuefi’s brother, Solomon Ogbuehi absconded during Pilgrimage in July, 2022 through the Lagos State contingent to Israel.
A statement by Celestine Toruka, Head of the Media and Public Relations of NCPC, said that it is instructive to state that the Commission in its Pilgrim form which every intending pilgrim must fill before undergoing screening exercise conducted by the Commission, makes provision where a guarantor must attest to the character of the intending pilgrim and specify in writing and duly signed that he or she would take full responsibility in the event that the Pilgrim absconds in the Holy land.
It noted that Chidi Ogbuehi, who claimed to be an official of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and a Lecturer with Anchor University, Ipaja, Lagos was arrested by the law enforcement agents on August 1, 2022, for aiding his brother, Solomon Ogbuehi to abscond in Israel during Pilgrimage exercise, having committed himself by attestation and by accepting full responsibility.
The Commission said that Solomon Ogbuehi, the abscondee, traveled to Israel as a self-sponsored Pilgrim with the Lagos State contingent and claimed to be an Evangelist with Mounting of Fire and Miracles Ministry, MFM.
According to the NCPC; “On the expiration of his Pilgrimage exercise, Mr Solomon Ogbuehi could not return to the country having absconded in Israel. His guarantor, Mr Chidi Ogbuehi failed to produce him based on the fact that he was the one who guaranteed him and promised to be held responsible for the pilgrim’s action.
“NCPC will leave no stone unturned to make sure that Mr Chidi Ogbuehi pays for aiding his brother to abscond during Pilgrimage except he produces him as this would serve as a deterrent to other would-be guarantors and potential abscondees,” it said.
