The management of St. Winifred Girls Secondary School, Ihugh, Benue State, has announced the temporary relocation of its students to four Catholic schools across the state following the Church’s decision to close Catholic institutions in Ihugh over security concerns.
The relocation, according to a notice dated October 17, 2026, follows consultations involving the Bishop and the Director of Catholic Education Services, Gboko Diocese.
The management said the arrangement was made in line with the Bishop’s pastoral letter and decree on the temporary closure of Catholic institutions and the withdrawal of pastoral agents from Ihugh.
Under the arrangement, students in Basic 7 and Senior Secondary School 2 (SSS 2) will attend Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Gboko, while those in Basic 8 and 9 will move to St. Mary Girls’ Secondary School, Adikpo.
Students in SSS 1 will be accommodated at Our Lady of Apostles Girls’ Secondary School, Vandeikya, while those in SSS 3 will attend Notre Dame Secondary School, Mkar.The students are expected to resume at their respective schools on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The management, however, stressed that the relocation was temporary, pending further decisions by the Church on the future of the institution.
It explained that the decision was taken “particularly in view of the security and safety surrounding its location.” The school also apologized to parents and guardians for the disruption caused by the emergency arrangement, while appreciating their patience and continued trust in the institution.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and the uncertainty this emergency situation has caused you and your children,” the notice stated.
To ensure continuity in teaching and learning, some teaching and non-teaching staff members have also been assigned to the receiving schools. According to the management, the affected staff members will support academic activities and provide guidance to students throughout the period of relocation.
It further assured parents that appropriate communication channels would be established to facilitate effective communication between them and the school management.
The relocation comes amid concerns over the safety of the school community, following a series of fire outbreaks at the institution that have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
The Church’s decision to suspend operations in Ihugh and temporarily relocate the students signals a shift towards prioritising the safety of students and staff while decisions on the school’s future remain pending.
