Catholic diocese shuts schools, hospital over Benue attacks

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the immediate closure of its institutions in Ihugh community, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, citing repeated attacks on church-owned properties.

The affected institutions include St Winifred Girls Secondary School, Ihugh; St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh; St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, Ihugh; and St Winifred Parish, Ihugh.

The directive also ordered the withdrawal of pastoral agents from the community.

Ihugh is the home community of Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

The letter conveying the directive was signed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.

Titled “On the Temporary Closure of Catholic Institutions and the Withdrawal of Pastoral Agents from Ihugh,” the letter said the diocese decided this following repeated attacks on Catholic institutions in the community since 2024.

Parts of the letter read, “Over a considerable period, the Catholic institutions in Ihugh have suffered repeated disturbances, attacks and acts of destruction.

“Among these were the recent burning down of the students’ hostels of St Winifred Secondary School, Ihugh, on October 28, 2025, May 10, 2026, May 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026.

“These acts have destroyed the shelter of young people entrusted to our care, wiped out the labour and sacrifices of many years, and placed the lives and safety of students, teachers and staff in grave danger.

“The persistent burning down of St Winifred Secondary School students’ hostels was not an isolated event. The consistent burglary incidents at St Winifred Parish, Ihugh, the repeated criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh, and the hooliganism witnessed during the reopening of St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh, on June 21, 2024, when people in Ihugh displayed placards and chanted slogans saying they no longer wanted the Reverend Sisters to work in the community, were also part of the problem.

“These acts are identified as part of a systemic pattern of hostility and destruction directed at church-owned properties, alongside arson and harassment. Each incident has left behind fear, loss and uncertainty among those who serve and are served by the church.”

The diocese said that before reaching the decision, it had met with members of the host community, engaged traditional rulers and community elders, and presented its grievances to the relevant civil and security authorities.

“Sadly, these sincere efforts have not yielded the peace, security and guarantees that the continued presence of our institutions requires.

“We have done all that depends on us. The attacks have continued, and no assurance of lasting safety has been secured,” the letter added.

The diocese said students of the secondary and primary schools would be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the diocese.

It added that patients of St Thomas Hospital would be referred to other health facilities, with every care taken to protect those requiring urgent medical attention.

“Staff affected by this decision will be treated with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour,” the letter concluded.

When contacted by telephone on Tuesday, Avenya confirmed the letter, saying, “Yes, we have suspended activities there.”