The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the immediate closure of its institutions in Ihugh community, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated attacks on church-owned properties.
The affected institutions are 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 hometown of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, who was a Catholic priest under the Gboko Diocese before venturing into politics.
The letter conveying the directive was signed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev William A. Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Rev Fr Marcellinus Wende. It was made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.
Titled “On the Temporary Closure of Catholic Institutions and the Withdrawal of Pastoral Agents from Ihugh,” the letter said the decision followed 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, October 28th, 2025, May 10th, 2026, May 15th, 2026, and October 11th, 2026, acts that 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 diocese said the hostel fires were not isolated incidents, citing repeated burglaries at St Winifred Parish, criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital and disturbances during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024.
According to the letter, some residents displayed placards and chanted slogans declaring that they no longer wanted fthe Reverend Sisters to work in Ihugh.
The diocese described the incidents as a pattern of hostility and destruction directed at church-owned properties, saying they had left fear, loss and uncertainty among those serving the community and those receiving services from the Church.
It said it had met with the host community, engaged traditional rulers and elders, and presented its grievances to relevant civil and security authorities before reaching the decision.
“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 further read.
As an alternative, the diocese said pupils and students of the primary and secondary 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 and handed over to other health facilities, with arrangements made 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.”
