Catholic Diocese of Gboko shuts schools and hospital in Ihugh, Benue State
The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the immediate closure of its institutions in Ihugh community, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, including St Winifred Girls Secondary School, St Thomas Hospital, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, and St Winifred Parish. The decision followed repeated attacks on Catholic institutions since 2024, including the burning of students' hostels on October 28th, 2025, May 10th, 2026, May 15th, 2026, and October 11th, 2026.
What the institution said
The Catholic Diocese of Gboko ordered the immediate closure of its institutions in Ihugh community in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.
“The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has ordered the immediate closure of its institutions in Ihugh community in the Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.”
The affected institutions include St Winifred Girls Secondary School, Ihugh; St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh; St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, Ihugh; and St Winifred Parish, Ihugh.
“The institutions affected include St Winifred Girls Secondary School, Ihugh; St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh; St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, Ihugh; and St Winifred Parish, Ihugh.”
The directive also ordered the withdrawal of pastoral agents from the community.
“The directive also ordered the withdrawal of pastoral agents from the community.”
Ihugh is the hometown of the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.
“Ihugh is the hometown of the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia”
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The letter conveying the directive was signed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev William A. Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Rev Fr Marcellinus Wende.
“The letter conveying the directive was signed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev William A. Avenya, and the diocesan chancellor, Rev Fr Marcellinus Wende”
The letter was made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.
“made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.”
The letter was titled 'On the Temporary Closure of Catholic Institutions and the Withdrawal of Pastoral Agents from Ihugh.'
“Titled “On the Temporary Closure of Catholic Institutions and the Withdrawal of Pastoral Agents from Ihugh,””
The diocese's decision followed repeated attacks on Catholic institutions in the community since 2024.
“the diocese’s decision followed repeated attacks on Catholic institutions in the community since 2024.”
The students' hostels of St. Winifred Secondary School, Ihugh, were burned down on October 28th, 2025, May 10th, 2026, May 15th, 2026, and October 11th, 2026.
“the recent burning down of the students’ hostels of St. Winifred Secondary School, Ihugh, October 28th, 2025, May 10th, 2026, May 15th, 2026, and October 11th, 2026,”
There was hooliganism during the reopening of St. Thomas' Hospital Ihugh on 21st June, 2024.
“the hooliganism witnessed during the time of the reopening of St. Thomas’ Hospital Ihugh on 21st June, 2024,”
The people of Ihugh openly projected placards and chanted slogans that they no longer want the Reverend Sisters to work in Ihugh.
“the people of Ihugh openly projected placards and chanting slogans that, ‘They no longer want the Reverend Sisters to work in Ihugh’.”
The diocese met with the host community, engaged traditional rulers and elders, and presented grievances to relevant civil and security authorities before arriving at the decision.
“it had met with the host community, engaged traditional rulers and elders, and presented the grievances to the relevant civil and security authorities.”
Pupils and students of the primary and secondary schools would be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the diocese.
“pupils and students of the primary and secondary schools would be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools within the diocese.”
Patients of St Thomas Hospital would be properly referred to and handed over to other health facilities.
“patients of St Thomas Hospital would be properly referred to and handed over to other health facilities,”
Staff affected by this decision will be treated with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.
“Staff affected by this decision will be treated with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour,”
Avenya confirmed the letter when contacted by telephone on Tuesday, saying, 'Yes, we have suspended activities there.'
“Avenya, confirmed the letter, saying, “Yes, we have suspended activities there.””
All 16 facts in this piece were located word for word in the institution's own notice before it was published.
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