Benue Catholic Diocese Shuts Four Ihugh Institutions Indefinitely Over Repeated Attacks

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the indefinite closure of four Church-owned institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated attacks, arson and alleged acts of hostility against its facilities.

The directive, issued by Bishop Most Rev. William A. Avenya, also requires priests, consecrated persons and other pastoral workers to leave the community until lasting peace and credible security guarantees are established. The closure took effect on October 12, 2026, according to a pastoral letter and decree signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.

The affected institutions are St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, including Salus Mind Care Center and the hospital chaplaincy, and St. Winifred Parish. The Diocese said the security situation had placed students, teachers, healthcare workers, priests and other personnel at risk.

Among the incidents cited in the decree was the repeated burning of students’ hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10, May 15 and October 11, 2026. The Diocese also reported persistent burglary incidents at St. Winifred Parish and repeated criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital.

The decree further recalled an incident during the reopening of St. Thomas Hospital on June 21, 2024, when members of the Ihugh community reportedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that the Reverend Sisters leave the area. Bishop Avenya described the incidents as a recurring pattern of hostility and destruction that had caused losses, fear and uncertainty.

According to the bishop, the Diocese had attempted to resolve the disputes through dialogue and reconciliation, engaging community leaders, traditional rulers, elders, government officials and security agencies. However, he said those efforts had not produced the level of peace and security needed for the institutions to operate safely.

Under the directive, priests serving as parish priests, assistant priests, chaplains, principals and administrators in Ihugh are to withdraw from their assignments. Consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners are also affected, while teaching, non-teaching, medical and administrative staff employed by the Diocese are to be redeployed or reassigned. No one may resume the affected duties or exercise ministry on behalf of the Diocese in Ihugh without the bishop’s written authorisation.

The Diocese has also ordered that its property be secured, parish registers and archives transferred to the Diocesan Archives, and the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects moved to safe locations under diocesan supervision. It said students would, as far as possible, be assisted to continue their education at other Catholic schools, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital would be referred to other health facilities, with urgent cases receiving particular attention.

Bishop Avenya called on residents, community and youth leaders, traditional rulers, government officials and security agencies to work towards restoring peace and ensuring that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice. He stressed that the decision was not motivated by hatred or vengeance, but warned that violence and the destruction of property disrupt education, healthcare and worship for the wider community.