Catholic Diocese Shuts All Institutions In Benue Community, Withdraws Priests

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko, in Gboko Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, has ordered the indefinite closure of all its institutions in Ihugh, Vandeikya LGA of the state, and withdrawn its priests and other pastoral workers following repeated attacks, arson, and destruction of church properties.

The decision, announced in a pastoral letter and decree dated October 12, 2026, followed alleged years of hostility, including four separate fires that gutted hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School between October 2025 and October 2026.

The Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Avenya, listed the incidents as October 28, 2025, May 10th and 15th, 2026, and October 11, 2026.

He also cited persistent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish, repeated attacks on St. Thomas Hospital and disturbances during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024, when some individuals openly declared that they no longer wanted Reverend Sisters working in the community.

Avenya said efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue with traditional rulers, community elders, civil authorities and security agencies had failed to produce lasting peace or credible guarantees of safety.

The affected institutions are St. Winifred Secondary School; St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School; St. Winifred Parish and St. Thomas Hospital, including its Salus Mind Care Centre and hospital chaplaincy.

The bishop also directed the withdrawal of all priests, consecrated persons, catechists, teachers, medical personnel and administrative staff serving under the diocese in Ighu.

To minimise the impact on residents, he said students would be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools, while patients of St. Thomas Hospital would be referred to alternative health facilities.

Also, affected staff would be redeployed with justice and charity.

Despite the sweeping measures, Avenya described the decision as painful but necessary, expressing appreciation to the priests, religious and lay workers who served in Ihugh despite the dangers and personal sacrifices involved.

He, however, left the door open for the diocese’s return, saying this would depend on genuine repentance, restitution and credible assurances of safety.

The bishop further declared October 23 a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation, urging Catholic parishes to pray for peace in Ihugh.

Tor Vande-Acka is a correspondent with Independent Newspapers.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Independent Newspapers Limited, registered on July 17, 2001 (RC No: 419927), commenced publication on October 1, 2001. With registered office at 15b, Daranijo Street, off Odusami street, off Wemco road, Ogba, Ikeja