The directive, issued by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. William A. Avenya, took effect on October 12, 2026. It also orders priests, religious personnel and other pastoral workers to withdraw from the community until lasting peace and credible security assurances are established.

The decision was contained in a pastoral letter and decree signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.

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

According to the Diocese, the decision followed a series of incidents that raised concerns about the safety of students, teachers, healthcare workers, priests and other personnel.

The decree listed four reported fires at students’ hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School. The incidents occurred on October 28, 2025, May 10 and May 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026. The latest fire affected a recently constructed block at the school, according to local reports. The cause of the recurring fires has not been conclusively established in the reports reviewed.

The Diocese also cited repeated burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and other reported criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital.

It further recalled an incident on June 21, 2024, when the hospital was being reopened and members of the community reportedly displayed placards and chanted slogans calling for the departure of the Reverend Sisters.

Bishop Avenya said the repeated incidents had caused losses, fear and uncertainty among people working at the institutions and those who rely on their services. He added that the Diocese had attempted to resolve the disagreements through dialogue with community leaders, traditional rulers, elders, government representatives and security agencies.

However, the bishop said those efforts had not produced the level of security the Diocese considered necessary to continue operating the institutions safely.

Under the directive, priests serving as parish priests, assistant priests, chaplains, school administrators and in other pastoral roles in Ihugh are to leave their assignments. Consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners deployed by the Diocese are also affected.

Teaching and non-teaching staff, alongside medical and administrative personnel employed by the Diocese, are to be redeployed or reassigned through the appropriate diocesan offices.

The decree further states that no one may return to the affected positions or carry out ministry on behalf of the Diocese in Ihugh without the bishop’s written authorisation.

It also directs diocesan officials to secure Church property, transfer parish registers and archives to the Diocesan Archives, and move the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects to safe locations under the supervision of designated diocesan authorities.

Despite the shutdown, the Diocese said it would take steps to limit the impact on students, patients and affected employees.

Students of St. Winifred Secondary School and St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School are expected to receive assistance to continue their education at other Catholic schools within the Diocese, where possible. Further information is to be provided through the Director of Catholic Education Services.

Patients receiving care at St. Thomas Hospital are to be referred to other health facilities, with urgent cases receiving particular attention.

The Diocese also said the welfare of affected employees would be addressed in accordance with principles of fairness and respect for the dignity of work.

Bishop Avenya appealed to residents, youth and community leaders, traditional rulers, government officials and security agencies to work together to restore peace and ensure that any individuals found responsible for the attacks are held accountable under the law.

He stressed that the decision was not intended to punish innocent members of the community, but to protect lives and property amid continuing security concerns.

The closure is expected to affect access to education, healthcare and religious services in Ihugh. Its duration will depend on whether the security situation improves and the Diocese receives assurances that its personnel and facilities can operate safely.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia