In response to persistent insecurity and systematic attacks, the Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Nigeria has officially suspended activities across three schools, a parish, and a hospital in Ihugh. The affected institutions include St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Subin Mind Care Center, the hospital chaplaincy, and St. Winifred Parish. Effective October 12, 2026, a decree issued by Bishop William Amove Avenya mandated the immediate withdrawal and reassignment of all diocesan personnel—including priests, medical personnel, teachers, and administrative staff—prohibiting any resumption of duties without explicit written authorization.
The temporary yet indefinite closure comes after a series of targeted criminal incidents and property destruction. According to a pastoral letter signed alongside Diocesan Chancellor Fr. Marcellinus Wende, Church institutions in Ihugh suffered multiple arson attacks at student dormitories, repeated burglaries, and safety threats at the medical center. Tensions had escalated as early as June 2024 during hostile community demonstrations against resident religious sisters. Bishop Avenya noted that despite extensive efforts to engage local traditional leaders, elders, and security authorities, the diocese could no longer in good conscience expose its staff, students, and patients to ongoing danger.
To minimize the impact on the local population, the diocese is working to transfer displaced students to alternative Catholic schools within the region and coordinate medical referrals for current hospital patients. While condemning the violence, Bishop Avenya emphasized that the Church harbors no resentment and remains open to returning once genuine peace, restitution, and verifiable safety guarantees are established. In the meantime, he has called on the faithful to pray for reconciliation, designating Friday, October 23, as a diocese-wide day of prayer and fasting.