The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the closure of schools, a hospital, and a parish in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated attacks on church-owned properties.
The directive, effective October 12, 2026, also ordered the withdrawal of priests, religious sisters, teachers, medical workers, and other personnel from the affected institutions until further notice.
The affected facilities include St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Centre, and St. Winifred Parish.
In a pastoral letter signed by the Bishop of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, and the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende, the diocese cited repeated fires at the secondary school’s student hostels on October 28, 2025; May 10 and 15, 2026; and October 11, 2026.
It also reported recurring burglaries at the parish, criminal incidents at the hospital, and alleged harassment of religious sisters. The diocese said previous efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue with community leaders, traditional rulers, and security authorities had failed to provide adequate safety guarantees.
The church said affected students would be assisted to continue their education at other Catholic schools, while patients would be referred to alternative health facilities.
The diocese stressed that the closure was not permanent, saying it would consider reopening the institutions when there was genuine reconciliation and credible assurances of safety for its personnel and properties.
Ihugh is the hometown of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.
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