The Catholic Diocese of Gboko has directed that its institutions in the Hugh community, located in the Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, be shut down with immediate effect.
Among the institutions impacted are St. Winifred Girls Secondary School, Hugh; St. Thomas Hospital, Hugh; St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, Hugh; and St. Winifred Parish, Hugh.
The directive further called for the withdrawal of pastoral agents from the community.
Ihugh is the hometown of the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who served as a Catholic priest under the Gboko Diocese before his suspension in 2023 after he showed interest in running for the governorship of the state.
The letter carrying the directive was signed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev. William A. Avenya, along with the diocesan chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.
Titled “On the Temporary Closure of Catholic Institutions and the Withdrawal of Pastoral Agents from Ihugh,” the letter said the diocese’s decision followed repeated attacks on Catholic institutions in the community since 2024.
Parts of the letter read, “Over a considerable period, the Catholic institutions in Iugh have suffered repeated disturbances, attacks, and acts of destruction.
“Among these were the recent burning down of the students’ hostels of St. Winifred Secondary School, Hugh, October 28th, 2025; May 10th, 2026; May 15th, 2026; and October 11th, 2026, acts that have destroyed the shelter of young people entrusted to our care, wiped out the labor and sacrifices of many years, and placed the lives and safety of students, teachers, and staff in grave danger.
“The persistent burning down of St. Winifred Secondary School students’ hostels was not an isolated event. The consistent burglary issues in St. Winifred Parish, Ihugh; the repeated criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital, Ihugh; and the hooliganism witnessed during the time of the reopening of St. Thomas’ Hospital, Ihugh, on 21st June, 2024, wherein the people of Ihugh openly projected placards and chanting slogans that said, ‘They no longer want the Reverend Sisters to work in Ihugh.’
“These acts are identified as part of a systemic pattern of hostility and destruction directed at Church-owned properties, alongside arson and harassment. Each incident has left behind fear, loss, and uncertainty among those who serve and are served by the Church.”
The diocese disclosed that 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.
“Sadly, these sincere efforts have not yielded the peace, security, and guarantees that the continued presence of our institutions requires.
“We have done all that depends on us. The attacks have continued, and no assurance of lasting safety has been secured,” the letter further read.
Alternatively, the diocese stated that primary and secondary school pupils and students would be helped to carry on with their education at other Catholic schools within the diocese.
It further mentioned that patients at St Thomas Hospital would be appropriately referred and transferred to other health facilities, with every effort made to safeguard those in need of urgent care.
“Staff affected by this decision will be treated with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labor,” the letter concluded.
