#Nigeria #Gboko – The Catholic Diocese of Gboko suspended operations at several of its institutions in the community of Ihugh and withdrew all diocesan personnel after a series of attacks, arsons, and threats, according to a pastoral letter and decree issued by Bishop William Avenya.
The decree, dated October 12, 2026, and countersigned by Diocesan Chancellor Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende, took effect immediately. It ordered the indefinite closure of St. Winifred Secondary School (also known as St. Winifred Girls Secondary School), St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital (including its Salus Mind Care Center and hospital chaplaincy), and St. Winifred Parish. The measure was described as temporary in intent but indefinite in duration, remaining in force until the bishop determined that conditions allowed a safe return. No one was permitted to resume duties or exercise ministry on behalf of the diocese in Ihugh without written authorization from the bishop.
The diocese cited a pattern of repeated disturbances, arson, burglaries, and hostility directed at Church-owned properties and personnel. Among the incidents were the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10, 2026, May 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026. Officials also pointed to persistent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish, criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital, and protests during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024, when some residents displayed placards and chanted that they no longer wanted the religious sisters working in the community. Bishop Avenya described these events as part of a systemic pattern of hostility that left fear, loss, and uncertainty among staff and those who depended on the institutions.
In the letter, the bishop wrote that the diocese had pursued dialogue and reconciliation, meeting with members of the host community, traditional rulers, elders, and civil and security authorities. Those efforts, however, failed to produce lasting peace or credible security guarantees. “The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her priests, consecrated persons, teachers, technical medical personnel, students and patients to danger,” he stated. The diocese withdrew priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers, teachers, medical personnel, and administrative staff, and arranged for their reassignment or redeployment. Students were to be assisted in continuing their education at other Catholic schools within the diocese where possible, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital were referred to alternative facilities, with special care for urgent cases. Affected staff were to be treated with justice and charity.
Ihugh, located in the Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, is the hometown of Governor Hyacinth Alia, a former Catholic priest of the Gboko Diocese who was suspended in 2023 after he entered politics. The bishop emphasized that the decision was made with a heavy heart and in sorrow rather than anger or vengeance, and that the door to reconciliation remained open. A return would require genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace, and credible lasting assurances of safety for personnel and property. He designated Friday, October 23, 2026, as a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation and the restoration of peace, and urged traditional rulers, youth leaders, government officials, and law enforcement to protect lives and property and to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
The suspension followed ongoing security challenges in Benue State, where Bishop Avenya had previously spoken out against serial killings, displacements, and attacks that forced many residents into internally displaced persons camps.
Cover Image: Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Gboko, Nigeria.
