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, issued by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. William A. Avenya, also mandates the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons and other pastoral workers from the community until lasting peace and credible security guarantees are established.
The closure took effect on October 12, 2026, according to a pastoral letter and decree issued by the bishop and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.
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, all in Ihugh.
The Diocese said the decision followed a series of security incidents that had placed the lives of students, teachers, medical personnel, priests and other workers at risk.
Among the incidents cited was the repeated burning of students’ hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10, May 15 and October 11, 2026.
The decree also listed persistent burglary incidents at St. Winifred Parish and repeated criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital.
It further recalled an incident during the reopening of St. Thomas Hospital on June 21, 2024, 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 part of a recurring pattern of hostility and destruction targeting Church-owned properties, saying they had caused losses, fear and uncertainty among workers and residents who depend on the institutions.
He said the Diocese had made several attempts to resolve the disputes peacefully through dialogue and reconciliation, engaging community leaders, traditional rulers, elders, government officials and security authorities.
However, he said those efforts had failed to produce the level of peace and security required for the institutions to continue operating safely.
According to the decree, the Church could no longer expose its personnel and beneficiaries to danger or continue investing resources in facilities where the safety of lives and property could not be guaranteed.
Under the directive, priests serving as parish priests, assistant priests, chaplains, principals, administrators and in other capacities in Ihugh are to withdraw from their assignments.
Consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners deployed by the Diocese are also affected.
Teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as medical and administrative personnel employed by the Diocese, are to be redeployed or reassigned through the appropriate diocesan offices.
The decree prohibits anyone from returning to the affected positions or exercising ministry on behalf of the Diocese in Ihugh without the bishop’s express written authorisation.
It also directs that diocesan property be secured, parish registers and archives transferred to the Diocesan Archives, and the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects removed to safe locations under the supervision of the Vicar General and the Diocesan Chancery.
Despite the closure, the Diocese said it would take steps to reduce the impact on students, patients and affected workers.
It said students of St. Winifred Secondary School and St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School will, as far as possible, be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the Diocese.
Further information is expected from the Director of Catholic Education Services.
Patients receiving treatment at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other health facilities, with particular attention given to those requiring urgent medical care.
The Diocese also assured affected workers that their welfare would be addressed with justice and charity, in line with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.
Bishop Avenya called on residents of Ihugh, 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 stressed that the decision was not driven by hatred or vengeance, insisting that the Diocese held no ill will towards innocent members of the community.
However, he warned that violence, arson and the destruction of property undermined the common good by denying children access to education, depriving sick people of healthcare and disrupting the faithful’s access to worship.
Catholic Diocese shuts four institutions in Benue, withdraws priests