Fear Grips Benue Community As Catholic Diocese Shuts Schools, Hospital And Parish After Repeated Attacks

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the indefinite closure of its schools, healthcare facilities and parish in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated attacks and incidents of destruction involving church-owned properties.

The decision also includes the withdrawal of priests, religious personnel, teachers, medical workers and other staff from the affected institutions, as the diocese says it can no longer guarantee their safety.

The Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William A. Avenya, and the diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende, announced the decision in a pastoral letter and decree dated October 12, 2026.

According to the letter, St. Winifred Secondary School in Ihugh experienced four separate incidents in which students’ hostels were reportedly set ablaze. The incidents occurred on October 28, 2025, May 10 and May 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026.

Bishop Avenya said the repeated attacks had caused significant damage to the institutions, destroyed students’ accommodation and put the lives of students, teachers and other workers at risk.

He also raised concerns over repeated burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and reported criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital, describing the situation as a persistent threat to the diocese’s educational, medical and religious activities.

The pastoral letter further recalled an incident during the reopening of St. Thomas Hospital on June 21, 2024, when some community members allegedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding the withdrawal of Reverend Sisters from the facility.

The diocese said it had made several attempts to resolve the issues through consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders, civil authorities and security agencies. However, Bishop Avenya stated that those engagements had failed to produce the desired results, leading to the decision to suspend operations and withdraw personnel.

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

The diocese confirmed that the closures would remain in place indefinitely, citing concerns for the safety of its workers and the people who depend on its services.

To reduce the impact on affected students, the diocese pledged to assist them in securing placements at other Catholic schools so they can continue their education. Patients who would ordinarily receive treatment at St. Thomas Hospital will also be referred to other healthcare facilities, while affected employees are to be redeployed.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the decision highlights the serious consequences that repeated security incidents can have on education, healthcare and religious services in vulnerable communities, as the affected institutions remain closed pending further developments.