# Benue Catholic school relocates students

> Benue Catholic school moves students to temporary schools after four hostel fires.
- Title: Benue Catholic school relocates students | Shortify
- Summary: Benue Catholic school moves students to temporary schools after four hostel fires. Benue Catholic school temporarily relocated students to four Catholic…
- Keywords: st winifred girls secondary school, benue state, catholic diocese of gboko, hostel fires, security concerns, temporary relocation, student safety, news, politics, Benue, Catholic, school
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/918212-benue-catholic-school-relocates-students-over-security-concerns.html
- Author: Manasseh Mbachii
- Published: 2026-10-19T11:19:29+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: st winifred girls secondary school, benue state, catholic diocese of gboko, hostel fires, security concerns, temporary relocation, student safety, news, politics
## Relocation decision
St Winifred Girls Secondary School in Ihugh, Benue State temporarily relocated students to four Catholic schools across the state.
## Reason for relocation
The school moved students after repeated hostel fires and security concerns at its location.
## Relocation timeline
Students will return to temporary schools on 23 October 2026 following the decision.
## Student placements
Basic 7 students attend Queen of the Rosary Secondary School in Gboko, while Basic 8 and 9 students move to St Mary Girls’ Secondary School in Adikpo.
## SSS placements
SSS 1 students attend Our Lady of Apostles Girls’ Secondary School in Vandeikya, while SSS 3 students go to Notre Dame Secondary School in Mkar.
## Temporary arrangement
The school said the relocation is temporary pending further Church decisions on its future.
## Staff support
Some teaching and non-teaching staff have been assigned to temporary schools to support students.
## Apology to parents
The school management apologised for disruption and promised communication channels for families.
## Four fires
The diocese cited four hostel fires on 28 October 2025, 10 May 2026, 15 May 2026 and 11 October 2026.
## Diocese closure
The Catholic Diocese of Gboko closed St Winifred Girls Secondary School and other institutions in Ihugh.
## Bishop's decree
Bishop William Avenya signed a pastoral letter and decree closing institutions in Ihugh on 12 October 2026.
## Security concerns
The diocese reported repeated burglaries at St Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital.
## Community efforts
The diocese engaged community leaders, traditional rulers and security authorities to resolve security issues.
## Principal's apology
Principal Isaac Shalegh apologised for repeated incidents and disruption to students' education.
## Failed assurances
Community stakeholders had promised damaged buildings would be reconstructed within three months by September 2026.
## Latest incident
Students noticed suspicious activity on Friday, 9 October 2026, before a fire on Sunday, 11 October 2026.
## Student impact
Students fled the school in distress on Sunday, 11 October 2026, arriving home as late as 11 p.m.
## Key takeaway

Benue Catholic school temporarily relocated students to four Catholic schools in Benue State following four hostel fires and security concerns.