Benue Catholic Diocese Shuts Schools, Hospital Over Repeated Attacks

By Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Benue State, has ordered the indefinite closure of its schools, hospital and other institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area, following repeated attacks, arson and destruction of Church property.

The diocese has also withdrawn all priests, religious personnel and pastoral workers from the community over persistent security threats and the failure of repeated peace efforts to guarantee their safety.

The decision, contained in a pastoral letter and decree dated October 12, 2026, was issued by the Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, and made available to journalists in Makurdi.

Avenya cited the repeated burning of hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School, which he said occurred on October 28, 2025; May 10 and 15, 2026; and October 11, 2026.

He also listed persistent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and repeated attacks on St. Thomas Hospital among the incidents that informed the decision.

The bishop recalled that during the reopening of the hospital on June 21, 2024, some individuals allegedly engaged in acts of hooliganism and declared that they no longer wanted Reverend Sisters working in the community.

He said the diocese had engaged traditional rulers, community elders, civil authorities and security agencies in efforts to resolve the crisis, but the interventions failed to secure lasting peace or credible guarantees of safety.

The affected institutions are St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Centre and Hospital Chaplaincy, and St. Winifred Parish.

The withdrawal order covers priests, consecrated persons, catechists, teachers, medical personnel and administrative staff serving under the diocese in Ihugh.

Avenya, however, said the diocese would assist affected students to continue their education in other Catholic schools, while patients receiving treatment at St. Thomas Hospital would be referred to alternative healthcare facilities.

He added that affected staff would be redeployed with due consideration for justice and charity.

Describing the decision as painful but necessary, the bishop said the diocese remained open to reconciliation, provided there was genuine repentance, restitution for damaged property and credible assurances of safety.

He stressed that reopening the institutions and returning Church personnel to Ihugh would depend on meaningful steps towards reconciliation and the establishment of a secure environment.

As part of efforts to restore peace, Avenya declared October 23, 2026, a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation in Ihugh.

 He also urged Catholic parishes to pray for peace and healing in the community.

Ihugh is in Vandeikya Local Government Area, the home town of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia.