Bishop William Avenya of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the indefinite closure of four Catholic institutions in Ihugh, Benue State, and the withdrawal of diocesan pastoral agents following repeated attacks, arson and other security incidents affecting Church properties and personnel.
The pastoral decision, contained in a letter and decree dated October 12, takes effect immediately and affects St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and St. Winifred Parish, Ihugh.
Announcing the decision, Avenya said the Diocese could no longer expose priests, consecrated persons, teachers, healthcare workers, students and patients to danger amid persistent security concerns and the failure of previous efforts to secure lasting peace. He described the withdrawal as a painful but necessary measure, stressing that it was motivated by the need to protect lives rather than by anger or a desire for retaliation.
“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her Priests, Consecrated Persons, Teachers, Medical personnel, Students and Patients to danger,” Avenya said in the pastoral letter.
According to the decree, the affected institutions have experienced repeated disturbances and destruction, including the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10 and 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026. The bishop also cited recurrent burglary incidents at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital. He recalled that during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024, some people reportedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that the Reverend Sisters leave Ihugh.
Avenya said the Diocese had pursued dialogue with the host community, traditional rulers, elders and relevant civil and security authorities in search of a peaceful resolution, but those efforts had failed to produce the security guarantees needed for the continued operation of the institutions.
The decree directs the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners serving in the affected institutions. Diocesan employees, including teaching and non-teaching staff, medical personnel and administrators, are to be redeployed or otherwise provided for through the appropriate diocesan offices. The bishop further directed that diocesan property be safeguarded, parish registers and archives transferred to the diocesan archives, and the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects reverently removed under the supervision of the appropriate diocesan authorities.
Despite the closure, Avenya said the Diocese would make arrangements to minimise the impact on students, patients and affected employees. Students in the primary and secondary schools are to be assisted, as far as possible, to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the Diocese. Patients receiving care at St. Thomas Hospital are to be referred to other health facilities, with particular attention to those requiring urgent medical attention. The bishop also pledged that affected staff would be treated with justice and charity.
Addressing Catholics in Ihugh, Avenya urged the faithful not to allow the closure of their worship centre to weaken their faith, emphasising that the Church is more than its buildings. “To our Catholic faithful in Ihugh: do not lose heart. Your Baptism is not lost with a building, nor is your faith diminished by the closing of a door,” he said.
He also appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, government officials and security agencies to work towards restoring peace and ensuring that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice.
The bishop, however, left open the possibility of a return, making it conditional on genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace and credible, lasting assurances of safety for Church personnel and property. “This decision is a painful one, but it is not a final farewell,” he said, adding that the Diocese would reconsider its presence in Ihugh when the necessary conditions for a safe and peaceful return had been met.
As part of efforts to seek reconciliation, Avenya called on Catholics throughout the Diocese to intensify prayers for peace, asking parishes to offer Masses and prayers for reconciliation and families to pray the Rosary. He also designated Friday, October 23, as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and reconciliation.
The decree, signed by Avenya and the diocesan chancellor, Father Marcellinus Wende, states that the closures will remain in force until further notice and may be lifted only through a subsequent decree after the required conditions have been assessed.
