The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has ordered the indefinite closure of five Catholic institutions in Ihugh following repeated attacks, arson and destruction of church-owned properties.
‎‎The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, announced the decision in a pastoral letter and decree dated October 12, 2026, directing the closure of the institutions with immediate effect until further notice.
‎‎The affected institutions are St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Centre and St. Winifred Parish, all located in Ihugh.
‎‎According to the letter, the decision followed repeated incidents of arson, burglary and other acts of hostility against church facilities, including the burning of students’ hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10 and 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026.
‎‎The Diocese also cited repeated burglary incidents at St. Winifred Parish and criminal activities at St. Thomas Hospital, as well as protests during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024, when some residents reportedly displayed placards and chanted slogans opposing the continued presence of Reverend Sisters in the community.
‎‎Avenya said the Diocese had engaged the host community, traditional rulers, elders and relevant civil and security authorities in efforts to resolve the disputes but had yet to obtain the assurances of lasting peace and security needed to keep the institutions operational.
‎‎He said the Church could no longer expose its priests, religious personnel, teachers, medical workers, students and patients to danger or continue investing resources in facilities where their safety could not be guaranteed.
‎Consequently, the Bishop directed the withdrawal of all priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and other diocesan personnel serving in the affected institutions.
‎The decree also ordered the redeployment or reassignment of affected staff, the preservation of parish records and archives, and the safe removal of sacred objects under the direction of the appropriate diocesan authorities.
‎However, the Diocese said the closure was temporary in intent, although indefinite in duration, and would remain in force until the Bishop determined that the conditions for a safe and peaceful return had been sustainably met.
‎‎It added that students of the affected primary and secondary schools would be assisted, as far as possible, to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the Diocese, while patients receiving care at St. Thomas Hospital would be referred to other health facilities.
‎The Diocese also assured affected workers that they would be treated with justice and charity in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.
‎‎While calling on community leaders, youth groups, government officials and security agencies to restore peace and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice, Avenya said the Church harboured no hatred towards the people of Ihugh.
‎He added that the Diocese remained open to returning to the community if there was genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace and credible, lasting assurances of safety for its personnel and properties.
‎‎As part of efforts to restore peace, the Bishop called on the faithful across the Diocese to pray for reconciliation and directed parishes to observe Friday, October 23, as a day of prayer and fasting.
‎‎The letter was signed by Avenya and the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende, at the Chancery in Gboko on October 12, 2026.
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