Benue Attacks: Catholic Diocese Shuts Schools, Hospital in Ihugh
The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has suspended activities at several church-owned institutions in Ihugh community following repeated attacks, arson, burglaries and alleged harassment of its personnel.
The affected facilities include schools, a hospital and a parish in Vandeikya Local Government Area. The Diocese has also ordered priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, medical workers and other staff to leave the institutions until further notice.
The suspension took effect on October 12, 2026, following what church authorities described as repeated incidents that threatened the safety of workers, students and patients.
The decision was announced in a pastoral letter and decree signed by the Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, and the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.
Ihugh, where the affected institutions are located, is the hometown of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.
List of Institutions Affected by the Closure
The Diocese identified the following institutions as affected by the suspension:
- St Winifred Secondary School.
- St Winifred Nursery and Primary School.
- St Thomas Hospital, including Salus Mind Care Center and its chaplaincy.
- St Winifred Parish.
According to the Diocese, the decision followed repeated incidents of destruction, theft and alleged hostility towards church personnel.
The church authorities said they could no longer guarantee the safety of those working and receiving services at the affected facilities.
Consequently, all pastoral and other personnel have been directed to withdraw from the institutions. No one is permitted to resume duties on behalf of the Diocese in Ihugh without written authorisation from the Bishop.
Repeated Hostel Fires Trigger Concern
The Diocese cited several incidents involving the burning of student hostels at St Winifred Secondary School.
According to the pastoral letter, the reported fires occurred on October 28, 2025, May 10, 2026, May 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026.
The church said the incidents destroyed accommodation for students and placed the lives of pupils, teachers and other staff at risk.
It also reported persistent burglaries at St Winifred Parish and repeated criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital.
The Diocese described the incidents as a continuing pattern of attacks on church-owned properties rather than isolated cases.
However, the available report does not identify those responsible for the alleged attacks or establish their motives.
Diocese Recalls Alleged Harassment of Reverend Sisters
The Catholic authorities also recalled an incident during the reopening of St Thomas Hospital on June 21, 2024.
According to the pastoral letter, some residents allegedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that the Reverend Sisters stop working in Ihugh.
The Diocese cited the incident as part of its concerns about the treatment of church personnel in the community.
It maintained that its schools, hospital and parish were established to serve the public, regardless of religious affiliation or place of origin.
The church expressed sadness that institutions intended to provide education, healthcare and spiritual support had repeatedly faced security challenges.
It also stressed that the closure was not intended to punish the wider community or target innocent residents.
Dialogue With Community Leaders Failed to Resolve Crisis
The Diocese said it had made several attempts to resolve the situation before deciding to suspend operations.
According to the pastoral letter, church representatives engaged community members, traditional rulers, elders and relevant government and security authorities.
The efforts were intended to establish lasting peace and secure assurances that church personnel and properties would be protected.
However, the Diocese said those engagements had not produced the level of safety required for its institutions to continue operating.
The church explained that it had preferred dialogue and reconciliation to confrontation. Nevertheless, it concluded that maintaining its presence under the reported conditions would expose workers and the people they served to further risks.
Bishop Avenya later confirmed the decision, describing it as a suspension of activities in response to the incidents that had occurred.
Students and Hospital Patients to Receive Alternative Support
Despite the suspension, the Diocese said it would take steps to reduce the impact on students and patients.
Students affected by the closure will be assisted in continuing their education at other Catholic schools.
Similarly, patients who would ordinarily receive treatment at St Thomas Hospital will be referred to other healthcare facilities.
The Diocese also expressed appreciation to the priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, doctors, nurses, catechists and other workers who had served in Ihugh.
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It assured affected employees that their situation would be handled fairly and with consideration for their dignity and welfare.
The church said the withdrawal was a difficult decision made out of concern for the safety of its personnel and the communities they served.
Catholic Church Calls for Peace in Benue Community
The Diocese appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, young people and government authorities to work towards restoring peace in Ihugh.
It urged security agencies and governments at all levels to protect lives and property and ensure that those responsible for criminal acts were investigated and prosecuted.
The church also condemned violence, arson and the destruction of property, warning that such incidents could deprive children of education, patients of healthcare and worshippers of access to religious services.
At the same time, it emphasised that it did not hold the entire community responsible for the alleged attacks.
The Diocese said it remained open to reconciliation and could reconsider its decision if there was genuine repentance, restitution and credible, lasting assurances of safety for its personnel and property.
It described the suspension as a painful measure rather than a permanent departure from Ihugh.
Diocese Declares October 23 Day of Prayer and Fasting
As part of its efforts to seek peace, the Gboko Diocese has declared Friday, October 23, 2026, a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation in Ihugh and other communities.
The Diocese called on the faithful to pray for the restoration of peace and an end to violence.
The move comes as the church maintains its suspension of activities at the affected institutions, pending improved security conditions.
For residents of Ihugh, the closure raises concerns about access to education, healthcare and other services provided by the Catholic institutions.
The Diocese has indicated that a return would depend on credible assurances that its workers, facilities and the people who rely on them would be safe.
