Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the indefinite closure of four Church institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated attacks, arson and other security concerns.
The affected institutions are St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, including Salus Mind Care Centre, and St. Winifred Parish.
The directive, which took effect yesterday , October 12, 2026, also ordered the withdrawal of priests, religious personnel, teachers, medical workers and other pastoral agents.
In a pastoral letter and decree, the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. William A. Avenya, said the decision followed the burning of students’ hostels on October 28, 2025, May 10 and 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026. The Diocese also cited repeated burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital.
Bishop Avenya said several attempts to resolve the crisis through dialogue with community leaders, traditional rulers, elders, government officials and security authorities had failed to produce lasting safety guarantees.
“We have done all that depends on us. The attacks have continued, and no assurance of lasting safety has been secured,” he stated.
He said the Church could not continue exposing its personnel, students and patients to danger while investing in facilities vulnerable to attack.
“The Church is a partner in development, not a victim to be repeatedly wounded,” the bishop said.
The Diocese also recalled a June 21, 2024 incident in which residents reportedly displayed placards and chanted slogans opposing the continued presence of Reverend Sisters at the hospital during its reopening.
Bishop Avenya described the closure as painful but necessary, stressing that it was not motivated by anger or revenge.
“We do so not in anger, nor in bitterness, nor in vengeance, but in sorrow, with prayer, and with the door of reconciliation left open,” he said.
All priests, chaplains, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers, teachers, medical staff and other diocesan personnel are to withdraw or be redeployed. No one may return to the institutions or exercise ministry in Ihugh on behalf of the Diocese without the bishop’s written authorisation.
The Diocese directed that its property, records and sacred objects be secured and transferred where necessary.
It said students would, as far as possible, be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital would be referred to other health facilities. Affected workers are to be treated fairly in line with Church teachings on the dignity of labour.
Although the institutions were closed indefinitely, Bishop Avenya said the decision was temporary in intent and could be reviewed when safe and peaceful conditions were genuinely and sustainably restored.
He appealed to community leaders, youths, government authorities and security agencies to restore peace, protect lives and property, and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
“The Church is not primarily walls and roofs, but the living stones of God’s people,” he told Catholic faithful, urging them not to allow the closure to weaken their faith.
Bishop Avenya said he harboured no ill will towards innocent residents and that reopening could be considered after genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace and credible assurances of safety.
The Catholic Diocese of Gboko also declared a period of prayer and penance for peace in Ihugh and other communities. Friday, October 23, 2026, was designated a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation, while parishes and families were urged to offer Masses and pray the Rosary.
The pastoral letter and decree were signed by Bishop Avenya and the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.
