Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that his recent trip to Italy was partly for a spiritual pilgrimage, during which he offered prayers for Nigeria and against insecurity, terr0rism and banπditry.

Akpabio made the disclosure while visiting the Prayer Ground of St Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, where he said he sought divine intervention for the country and its leaders.

Explaining the purpose of his visit, the Senate President said he travelled to Rome because of its significance to the Catholic faith and used the opportunity to visit the St Padre Pio site for prayers.

“I prayed for Nigeria as a whole and I also prayed against insecurity that God should free us from insecurity. I prayed against baπditry. I prayed against terrorism.”

Akpabio said his prayers also covered President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council and Nigeria as a whole.

He described the trip as a “slight pilgrimage”, explaining that his decision was influenced by his Christian belief in the need for divine protection alongside efforts to tackle insecurity in the country.