The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the indefinite closure of four Church-owned institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated attacks, arson and alleged acts of hostility against its facilities.
The directive, which took effect on October 12, 2026, was issued by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. William A. Avenya, in a pastoral letter and decree signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende. It also orders the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons and other pastoral workers from the community until lasting peace and credible security guarantees are established.
The affected institutions are St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital including Salus Mind Care Center and the hospital chaplaincy and St. Winifred Parish.
According to the decree, the decision followed repeated security incidents that threatened the lives of students, teachers, healthcare workers, priests and other personnel. The diocese cited the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10, May 15 and October 11, 2026, as well as persistent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and repeated criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital.
The diocese also recalled an incident on June 21, 2024, during the reopening of St. Thomas Hospital, when members of the Ihugh community reportedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that the Reverend Sisters leave the area. Bishop Avenya described the incidents as a recurring pattern of hostility and destruction targeting Church-owned properties.
The bishop said the diocese had pursued peaceful resolutions through dialogue and reconciliation with community leaders, traditional rulers, elders, government officials and security agencies. However, he said the efforts had failed to deliver the level of security required for the institutions to operate safely.
Under the decree, priests serving as parish priests, assistant priests, chaplains, principals and administrators, alongside consecrated persons, catechists and other pastoral workers, are to withdraw from their assignments. Teaching, medical, administrative and other staff employed by the diocese will be redeployed or reassigned through the appropriate diocesan offices. No one may resume duties or exercise ministry on behalf of the diocese in Ihugh without the bishop’s written authorisation.
The directive also requires diocesan property to be secured, parish registers and archives transferred to the Diocesan Archives, and sacred objects, including the Blessed Sacrament and sacred vessels, moved to safe locations under the supervision of the Vicar General and the Diocesan Chancery.
The diocese said it would take steps to minimise the impact of the closures. Students will, where possible, be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the diocese, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other health facilities, with urgent cases receiving particular attention. The welfare of affected workers, it added, would be addressed in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.
Bishop Avenya urged residents, community and youth leaders, traditional rulers, government officials and security agencies to work towards restoring peace and ensuring that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice. He said the decision was not motivated by hatred or vengeance but warned that violence and property destruction deprived children of education, patients of healthcare and worshippers of access to religious services.
