Three pilgrims from Lagos State who went for this year’s pilgrimage in Jerusalem, Israel have reportedly absconded. According to a new report by PM News, the absconded pilgrims include one female and two males.
Sources in Jerusalem who confided in PM News reveal that the female pilgrim was the first to abscond few days after arriving the holy land for the 10 days spiritual exercise.
One other male pilgrim also absconded few days after the female pilgrim was declared missing, while the last one ran away shortly after the thanksgiving service to mark the departure of the pilgrims from Jerusalem back to Nigeria two days ago.
A source said immediately after the thanksgiving service, it was discovered that the pilgrim, a middle-age man was missing and he never returned.
Cases of pilgrims absconding after getting to Jerusalem have been on the rampant in recent time as they see the exercise as the easiest means of getting to Europe.
In 2013, two Lagos pilgrims absconded during the exercise. One was caught while the other was never seen again until the remaining pilgrims left Jerusalem. The same scenario played out in subsequent years.
Investigation reveals that Jerusalem is a place where immigrants could easily escape to Europe to seek greener pasture, thus, some pilgrims hide under religious ritual to escape to Europe during pilgrimage.