The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has closed four institutions in Ihugh, a community in Benue State, and withdrawn its priests, religious sisters and other personnel over repeated attacks and destruction of church properties.
The affected institutions are St Winifred Secondary School, St Thomas Hospital and Salus Mudi Care Centre, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, and St Winifred Parish.
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The decision was announced in a pastoral letter and decree signed by the Bishop of Gboko, William Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Marcellinus Wende, and dated 12 October.
The diocese said the closure would remain in place until further notice, pending the restoration of peace and credible assurances of safety for its personnel and properties.
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“Over a considerable period, the Catholic institutions in Ihugh have suffered repeated disturbances, attacks and acts of destruction,” the letter said.
It listed the burning of student hostels at St Winifred Secondary School on 28 October 2025, 10 May 2026, 15 May 2026 and 11 October 2026 among the incidents that prompted the decision.
According to the diocese, the attacks destroyed accommodation for students and placed the lives of students, teachers and other staff at risk.
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The letter also cited repeated burglaries at St Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital.
It referred to protests during the hospital’s reopening on 21 June 2024, when demonstrators allegedly carried placards and chanted that they no longer wanted the Reverend Sisters working in Ihugh.
“These acts are identified as part of a systematic pattern of hostility and destruction directed at Church-owned properties, alongside arson and harassment,” the diocese said.
Attempts to resolve dispute
The diocese said it had engaged community leaders, traditional rulers and elders and reported its concerns to relevant government and security authorities in an effort to resolve the situation.
However, it said those efforts had failed to produce lasting peace or adequate security guarantees.
“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 letter said.
The diocese said the withdrawal was not intended as an act of hostility towards the community but was necessary to protect those working in its institutions.
It added that the closure would remain in force until the bishop, in consultation with his advisers, determined that conditions for a safe return had been met.
Students to be relocated
Under the decree, priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners serving in the affected institutions are to withdraw from their duties.
Teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as medical and administrative personnel employed by the diocese, will be redeployed or otherwise provided for through the appropriate diocesan offices.
The decree also prohibits anyone from returning to the affected posts or exercising ministry on behalf of the diocese in Ihugh without the bishop’s written authorisation.
The diocese said students in the affected secondary and primary schools would be assisted, where possible, to continue their education in other Catholic schools. Further details are to be provided by the Director of Catholic Education Services.
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Patients receiving care at St Thomas Hospital are to be referred to other health facilities, with arrangements made for those requiring urgent attention.
The diocese also pledged to treat affected staff fairly, in line with its teaching on the dignity of labour.
Open for return
Despite the closures, the diocese said it remained open to reconciliation and a possible return to Ihugh.
“This decision is a painful one, but it is not a final farewell. The Church leaves in sorrow, not in contempt,” the letter said.
It said the diocese would consider returning if there was genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace and credible, lasting assurances of safety for its personnel and properties.
The diocese called on community elders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, public officials and security agencies to help restore peace and ensure that those responsible for the attacks were brought to justice.
It also urged its faithful to pray for peace in Ihugh and announced Friday, 23 October, as a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation.
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