The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has suspended activities at its schools, hospital and other church institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area, following repeated attacks, arson, burglaries and alleged harassment of its personnel.
The suspension, which took effect on October 12, 2026, will remain in place until further notice. The Diocese has also ordered priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, medical workers and other personnel to withdraw from the affected institutions.
The facilities include St Winifred Secondary School, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Centre and its chaplaincy, as well as St Winifred Parish.
Ihugh is the hometown of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.
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.
The Diocese said the decision followed a series of attacks, including the burning of students’ hostels at St Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10, May 15 and October 11, 2026.
It described the incidents as a persistent pattern of hostility and destruction that had endangered students, teachers, medical personnel and other workers.
The letter also cited repeated burglaries at St Winifred Parish and alleged criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital.
According to the Diocese, hostility towards its personnel was also evident during the reopening of St Thomas Hospital on June 21, 2024, when some residents allegedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding the withdrawal of the Reverend Sisters.
“The Church exists to bring life. Our schools, hospital and parish in Ihugh were established for the good of all, irrespective of creed or origin. It is therefore a source of profound grief that works meant for the common good have repeatedly become targets,” the letter stated.
Dialogue Failed To Restore Peace
The Diocese said it had made several efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue, engaging community leaders, traditional rulers, elders and security authorities.
However, it said the engagements had failed to provide the security guarantees needed to continue operating the institutions.
The Church maintained that its decision was not motivated by anger or vengeance but by concerns over the safety of its personnel and the people who depend on its services.
“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her priests, consecrated persons, teachers, medical personnel, students and patients to danger, nor continue to invest the resources of God’s people where they are not safe and are not valued,” the statement said.
The Diocese directed all pastoral and other personnel to withdraw from the affected facilities and warned that no one could resume duties on its behalf in Ihugh without written authorisation from the Bishop.
It said arrangements would be made to help affected students continue their education in other Catholic schools, while patients who would have used St Thomas Hospital would be referred to other health facilities.
The Diocese also assured affected employees that they would be treated fairly and in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.
Diocese Calls For Prosecution Of Perpetrators
While condemning the attacks, the Diocese said it did not hold innocent residents responsible for the incidents.
It appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youths and government authorities to work towards restoring peace in Ihugh.
The Church also urged security agencies and governments at all levels to protect lives and property and ensure that those responsible for the attacks were brought to justice.
“Violence, arson and destruction are contrary to the Gospel, contrary to the dignity of the human person, and contrary to the good of the community itself,” the letter stated.
The Diocese stressed that the suspension should not be seen as a permanent departure from the community, saying it would consider returning if there was genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace and credible assurances of safety for its personnel and property.
Bishop Avenya confirmed the decision, describing it as a suspension of activities in response to the incidents that had occurred.
The Diocese has also declared Friday, October 23, 2026, a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation and the restoration of peace in Ihugh and other communities.
