Catholic Church shuts schools and hospitals in Benue community

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has suspended operations at its schools, hospital and parish in Ihugh, Benue State, citing repeated security incidents, damage to property and alleged harassment of personnel.

The directive, effective October 12, 2026, affects St Winifred Secondary School, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and its chaplaincy, and St Winifred Parish.

The Diocese also ordered priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, medical personnel and other workers to withdraw until further notice. Ihugh, in Vandeikya Local Government Area, is the hometown of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The decision was announced in a pastoral letter and decree signed by Bishop William Avenya and Diocesan Chancellor, Reverend Father Marcellinus Wende. The Diocese cited fires at St Winifred Secondary School’s student hostels on October 28, 2025, and May 10, May 15 and October 11, 2026.

“Over a considerable period, the Catholic institutions in Ihugh have suffered repeated disturbances, attacks and acts of destruction,” the letter stated. It said the incidents had destroyed accommodation, undone years of investment and endangered students and employees. The Diocese also reported persistent burglaries at St Winifred Parish and repeated security incidents at St Thomas Hospital.

During the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024, some residents allegedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that Reverend Sisters leave the community. The Diocese described the incidents as “a systemic pattern of hostility and destruction directed at church-owned properties, alongside arson and harassment”.

“The Church exists to bring life. Our schools, hospital and parish in Ihugh were established for the good of all, irrespective of creed or origin. It is therefore a source of profound grief that works meant for the common good have repeatedly become targets,” it said. The Diocese said it had held discussions with residents, traditional rulers and elders, and raised its concerns with civil and security authorities.

“The Church does not take the path of withdrawal lightly, nor in haste. The Lord instructs us to be peacemakers, and we have laboured to be so. At every stage we sought dialogue rather than confrontation and reconciliation rather than recrimination,” the letter stated.

“We have listened, we have appealed, and we have waited patiently. Sadly, these sincere efforts have not yielded the peace, security and guarantees that the continued presence of our institutions requires.” Explaining the suspension, the Diocese said it could no longer expose its personnel, students and patients to unsafe conditions.

“The Church is a partner in development, not a victim to be repeatedly wounded. A partnership requires mutual respect, protection and good faith,” it said. The Diocese emphasised that the decision was not intended as retaliation. “We do so not in anger, nor in bitterness, nor in vengeance, but in sorrow, with prayer, and with the door of reconciliation left open.”

No personnel may resume duties on behalf of the Diocese in Ihugh without the Bishop’s written authorisation. Students will be assisted to continue their education at other Catholic schools, while patients at St Thomas Hospital will be referred to alternative health facilities. The Diocese thanked employees for their service and pledged fair treatment for those affected by the suspension.

“We express our deepest gratitude to our priests, consecrated persons, teachers, nurses, doctors, catechists and staff who have served in Ihugh with courage and fidelity, often at great personal cost,” it said. It added that “staff affected by this decision will be treated with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour”.