Catholic diocese shuts schools in Benue community over repeated attacks

Under the directive, pastoral agents and other diocesan personnel serving in Ihugh are to be withdrawn from the area, while the affected facilities will remain closed indefinitely.

The diocese said students enrolled in the affected schools would receive assistance to continue their education in other Catholic institutions.

Patients receiving treatment at St. Thomas Hospital would also be referred to other hospitals, while staff affected by the closure would be redeployed to other locations.

The arrangements are intended to address the immediate consequences of the shutdown for students, patients and employees, although the statement did not identify the alternative schools or hospitals that would receive them.

Diocese Cites Burglary, Hostility Towards Church Institutions

Beyond the fires at St. Winifred Secondary School, Avenya cited repeated burglary incidents at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital as part of the security concerns informing the decision.

The bishop also recalled an incident during the reopening of St. Thomas Hospital on June 21, 2024, when members of the community allegedly displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding the withdrawal of Reverend Sisters from the area.

According to the diocese, the incidents formed a pattern of hostility towards church-owned properties, leaving workers and beneficiaries fearful and uncertain about their safety.

The diocese did not provide details identifying those responsible for the reported attacks or establish whether arrests had been made in connection with the incidents.

The closure therefore comes amid unresolved security concerns surrounding the church’s operations in Ihugh, with the bishop saying the repeated incidents had made it increasingly difficult to protect those working in or using the facilities.

The destruction of student accommodation has also raised concerns about the continuity of education for children enrolled at the affected school, while the closure of the hospital and other health facilities is expected to require patients to seek services elsewhere.

Peace Meetings Failed to Resolve Disputes

Avenya said the diocese had held several meetings with traditional rulers, community elders, civil authorities and security agencies in an effort to resolve the disputes and restore peaceful relations.

However, he said the engagements had failed to produce the desired results, leaving the diocese unable to guarantee the safety of its personnel and the people served by its institutions.

The bishop said the decision to close the facilities indefinitely was made after repeated incidents and continued concerns about the security situation.

The pastoral letter did not outline specific conditions for reopening the institutions or provide a timeline for reviewing the closure order.

It also did not detail any new security arrangements agreed upon with community leaders or security agencies following the reported attacks.

The diocese’s withdrawal of personnel means that educational, medical and pastoral services previously provided through the affected institutions will be disrupted until alternative arrangements or a change in the security situation allows them to resume.

The decision highlights the challenges facing the church in maintaining its services in Ihugh amid the reported attacks, while the planned transfer of students, referral of patients and redeployment of workers will determine how those affected access alternative support.

For now, the Catholic Diocese of Gboko says the five institutions will remain closed indefinitely, with the safety of staff, students, patients and other beneficiaries cited as the central reason for the decision.