AFRICA/NIGERIA – Diocese of Gboko closes four facilities in Ihugh for security reasons

Abuja – St Winifred Secondary School, also known as St Winifred Girls’ Secondary School; St Winifred Nursery and Primary School; St Thomas Hospital, which includes the Salus Mind Care Centre and the hospital chaplaincy service; and St Winifred Parish. These are the four facilities run by the Diocese of Gboko in Benue State, in north-central Nigeria, whose indefinite closure has been announced for security reasons.
The decision was made public by William A. Avenya, Bishop of Gboko, in a pastoral letter and decree dated 12 October and countersigned by the diocesan chancellor, the Rev. Marcellinus Wende. The measures order the closure of the four Church facilities located in Ihugh, in the Vandeikya Local Government Area. The suspension of activities took effect on 12 October and will remain in force until lasting peace has been restored and credible security guarantees are in place.
The decision was taken “with a heavy heart, after much prayer, reflection and consultation”, Bishop Avenya writes. “Since its foundation, the Church of Gboko has walked in the land of the Tiv people as a servant of the Gospel, building schools, caring for the sick and nourishing the faithful with the Word of God and the Sacraments. In Ihugh, as in many other places, this mission has been carried out with joy, sacrifice and love,” the Bishop recalls.
However, “because of repeated harassment, attacks and acts of destruction”, the diocese has been forced to suspend its activities in the area.
Among the incidents cited by Bishop Avenya are “the repeated burning of the dormitories at St Winifred Secondary School in Ihugh”, which occurred on 28 October 2025, 10 and 15 May 2026, and 11 October 2026. These acts, the Bishop states, destroyed accommodation for students entrusted to the school’s care, undermined years of work and sacrifice, and seriously endangered the lives and safety of students, teachers and staff.
Bishop Avenya also recalls repeated thefts at St Winifred Parish, criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital and riots that occurred during the hospital’s reopening on 21 June 2024. On that occasion, some members of the community displayed placards and chanted slogans to express their opposition to the presence of the religious sisters in Ihugh.
The Bishop described these incidents as part of a recurring pattern of hostility and destruction targeting Church property, stressing that they had caused losses, fear and uncertainty among employees and local residents who depend on the services provided by the facilities.
According to the Bishop, the diocese made repeated attempts to resolve the disputes peacefully through dialogue and reconciliation, involving community leaders, traditional authorities, elders, government officials and law enforcement agencies. These efforts, however, failed to achieve any meaningful improvement in security conditions.
The decree orders the withdrawal of all priests, consecrated persons, including religious sisters, catechists, pastoral workers, teachers, healthcare personnel and other employees. No one may resume duties at the facilities without the Bishop’s prior written authorization.
Students attending the affected schools will be able to continue their education at other Catholic institutes within the diocese, while patients will be referred to other healthcare facilities, while ensuring assistance in urgent cases.

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