The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has suspended operations at its schools, hospital and parish in Ihugh community, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated attacks, arson and alleged harassment of church personnel.
The directive, which took effect on October 12, 2026, was contained in a pastoral letter and decree signed by the Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, and the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.
The affected institutions include St Winifred Girls Secondary School, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Centre and its chaplaincy, as well as St Winifred Parish. The Diocese also ordered priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, medical personnel and other workers to withdraw from the community until further notice.
According to the Diocese, the decision followed repeated incidents of destruction, including fires that gutted students’ hostels at St Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10 and May 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026. It also cited persistent burglaries at the parish, criminal incidents at the hospital and protests against the continued presence of Reverend Sisters during the hospital’s reopening in June 2024.
The Diocese described the incidents as a pattern of hostility towards church-owned properties, warning that the attacks had endangered students, staff, medical workers and other members of the community.
It said efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue with community members, traditional rulers, elders and relevant government and security authorities had failed to produce lasting peace or adequate assurances of safety.
“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her priests, consecrated persons, teachers, medical personnel, students and patients to danger,” the Diocese stated in the decree.
As part of the arrangements following the suspension, affected pupils and students will be assisted to continue their education at other Catholic schools within the Diocese, while patients receiving treatment at St Thomas Hospital will be referred to alternative health facilities. The Diocese also pledged fair treatment for affected employees.
Despite the decision, the Church said its withdrawal was not intended to punish innocent residents or permanently abandon the community. It expressed willingness to reconsider its return if there was genuine reconciliation, restitution and credible, lasting guarantees of safety for its personnel and properties.
The Diocese called on community leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, government officials and security agencies to work towards restoring peace and ensuring that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that the latest fire incident at the school was under investigation, adding that no life was lost in the outbreak.
