Catholic Diocese of Gboko Suspends Operations in Ihugh, Benue, Citing Security Failures

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has suspended operations at its educational institutions, medical facility, and parish in Ihugh, Benue State. The Diocese cited ongoing security problems, destruction of property, and claims of harassment against its personnel. The directive takes effect on October 12, 2026, and impacts St Winifred Secondary School, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and its chaplaincy, as well as St Winifred Parish. The Diocese also instructed priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, medical staff, and other employees to pull out until additional notice. Ihugh is located in Vandeikya Local Government Area and is the hometown of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The announcement was made through a pastoral letter and decree signed by Bishop William Avenya and Diocesan Chancellor, Reverend Father Marcellinus Wende. The Diocese pointed to fires at St Winifred Secondary School’s student hostels on October 28, 2025, and on 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 said. It noted that these incidents had ruined lodging, reversed many years of investment, and put students and workers at risk. The Diocese also mentioned ongoing burglaries at St Winifred Parish and recurrent security issues at St Thomas Hospital. When the hospital reopened on June 21, 2024, some locals reportedly carried placards and chanted slogans calling for Reverend Sisters to leave the area. The Diocese characterized the events 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 engaged in talks with residents, traditional rulers, and elders, and had voiced its worries to 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.” In explaining the suspension, the Diocese said it could no longer place its staff, students, and patients in unsafe situations. “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 stressed that the move was not meant as revenge. “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 staff member may return to work for the Diocese in Ihugh without the Bishop’s written permission. Students will receive help to continue their studies at other Catholic schools, while patients at St Thomas Hospital will be sent to other health facilities. The Diocese thanked its workers for their service and promised fair treatment for those impacted 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”.