In a disturbing development, Dr. Israel Olu Kristilere, President of the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CTPAN) and CEO of Oasis of Faith Intercontinental Ltd, recently faced harassment from Egyptian Police during a stopover at the Cairo International Airport. The incident occurred as he and 28 other pilgrims were en route to Amman, Jordan, on a pilgrimage from Lagos.
Dr. Kristilere, who is also the Senior Pastor of Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, recounted the ordeal in a social media post, sharing how the situation unfolded while they waited to board a connecting flight. He described the unjust accusation and hostile treatment by airport authorities, which has sparked concern about the safety of Nigerian travelers in foreign airports.
Accusation and Police Confrontation
After arriving in Cairo for a four-hour layover, Dr. Kristilere guided the pilgrims to their connecting gate (H2) at around 9 PM. With 26 pilgrims settled, he and a female traveler in Business Class headed to the lounge to rest before their flight. They returned to the gate after an hour, once the connecting flight notification was displayed.
However, just before boarding, the Egyptian Police called Dr. Kristilere aside, accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman at the airport—a woman he had never seen before. Despite his insistence that he did not know the woman or commit the offense, the police demanded an apology.
“I did as they requested, apologizing if there was any case of mistaken identity,” he explained. However, the situation escalated when the officers attempted to force him into signing a document written in Arabic. Concerned about the document’s contents, Dr. Kristilere refused to sign unless it was translated into English. This refusal led to heightened tension, with the police chief stating, “In our country, we believe the word of any woman as true, with or without evidence; you are guilty.”
Refusal to Sign and Release
As the confrontation intensified, Dr. Kristilere was threatened with court charges and told he would miss his flight if he did not comply. He stood his ground and refused to sign, writing “I do not” on the document instead. It was at this point that the airport’s desk manager intervened, speaking to the police, which led to Dr. Kristilere’s eventual release.
In an act of solidarity, the other 26 pilgrims refused to board the plane until Dr. Kristilere was allowed to travel with them. Their firm stand contributed to the swift resolution of the matter, and the group was finally able to continue their journey.
Warning to Travelers and Nigerian Authorities
Dr. Kristilere has expressed his trauma and dismay over the incident, which he believes is part of a syndicate operating at airports across Africa. He has called on the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and all travelers to remain vigilant while navigating international airports, especially in Egypt.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges Nigerians can face while traveling, and it underscores the need for greater protection and awareness for Nigerian citizens abroad. Dr. Kristilere’s experience is not just a personal ordeal but a call for action to prevent such occurrences from happening to others.