Catholic Church shuts colleges and hospitals in Benue group

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

The directive, efficient October 12, 2026, impacts 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 additionally ordered clergymen, Reverend Sisters, lecturers, medical personnel and different employees to withdraw till additional discover. Ihugh, in Vandeikya Local Government Area, is the hometown of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The choice was introduced 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 pupil 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 said. It mentioned the incidents had destroyed lodging, undone years of funding and endangered college students and staff. The Diocese additionally reported persistent burglaries at St Winifred Parish and repeated safety 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 depart the group. 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 mentioned. The Diocese mentioned it had held discussions with residents, conventional rulers and elders, and raised its issues with civil and safety 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 said.

“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 mentioned it may not expose its personnel, college students and sufferers to 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 mentioned. The Diocese emphasised that the choice was not supposed 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 might resume duties on behalf of the Diocese in Ihugh with out the Bishop’s written authorisation. Students can be assisted to proceed their schooling at different Catholic colleges, whereas sufferers at St Thomas Hospital can be referred to various well being services. The Diocese thanked staff for his or her service and pledged truthful remedy for these 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 mentioned. 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”.