By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has shutdown all its institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya local government area, the home town of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The development is as a result of repeated attacks, arson and the destruction of church property in the area.
The diocese also ordered the immediate withdrawal of all priests, consecrated persons and other pastoral agents serving in the community, citing persistent security concerns and the failure of previous efforts to achieve lasting peace.
In a pastoral letter and decree dated October 12, 2026, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, the Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, said the decision followed years of hostility, including the repeated burning of hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School.
Bishop Avenya explained that the school’s hostels were set on fire on four occasions: October 28, 2025; May 10, 2026; May 15, 2026; and October 11, 2026.
He also cited persistent burglary at St. Winifred Parish and repeated criminal attacks on St. Thomas Hospital as part of the incidents that informed the decision.
The bishop further recalled an incident during the reopening of the hospital on June 21, 2024, when some individuals reportedly engaged in acts of hooliganism and openly declared that they no longer wanted Reverend Sisters working in the community.
According to him, the diocese had made several efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue with traditional rulers, community elders, civil authorities and security agencies, but those engagements had failed to produce lasting peace or credible assurances of safety.
The diocese ordered the indefinite closure of the following institutions in Ihugh: 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 decree also directed the withdrawal of all priests, consecrated persons, catechists, teachers, medical personnel and administrative staff serving under the diocese in Ihugh.
Bishop Avenya further said the diocese would assist students affected by the closure to continue their education in other Catholic schools, while patients receiving treatment at St. Thomas Hospital would also be referred to alternative health facilities to ensure continuity of care.
He added that staff affected by the decision would be redeployed, with due consideration for justice and charity.
The bishop expressed appreciation to the priests, religious personnel and lay workers who had served in Ihugh despite the challenges, commending their courage and dedication in the face of personal risks.
On leaving Room for Reconciliation, the Priest described the decision as painful but necessary, saying the diocese remained open to reconsidering its position if there was genuine repentance, restitution for the damage caused and credible guarantees of safety.
He stressed that any possible return of the Church’s personnel and reopening of its institutions would depend on meaningful steps towards reconciliation and the establishment of a secure environment.
As part of efforts to seek peace, the bishop declared October 23, 2026, a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation in Ihugh.
He also urged Catholic parishes to pray for peace, healing and reconciliation in the community.
