NECO Defends Kogi School, Rejects ‘Miracle Centre’ Label After Abduction Incident

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dismissed claims that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, is a “miracle centre,” insisting that the institution is a legitimate public school that has consistently presented candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) since 2000.

The examination body made the rebuttal on Friday in response to allegations that surfaced after the abduction of five persons, including examination officials and candidates, during the ongoing 2026 NECO SSCE.

In a statement signed by its Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, NECO described the allegation as false, stressing that the school is owned by the Kogi State Government and has been in existence for more than 40 years.

“The National Examinations Council categorically denies the allegation that the examination centre at Government Secondary School, Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, where five persons were abducted on Tuesday, is a ‘miracle centre’,” the statement said.

The council sympathised with the victims of the attack and commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for their efforts, which led to the rescue of four of those abducted.

“The Council sympathises with the victims and commends the Kogi State Government and the security agencies for their coordinated efforts, which have led to the rescue of the remaining four victims from captivity,” it added.

NECO also faulted comments reportedly made by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who had described the school as a miracle centre following the incident.

According to the council, Government Secondary School, Olowa, has operated for over four decades and has presented candidates for NECO examinations continuously for the past 26 years.

It noted that the school’s principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, who was among those abducted, is a Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi State Civil Service, while the kidnapped external supervisor, Mr Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the state government and posted to Community Secondary School, Effin.

NECO further stated that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are bona fide students and not external candidates, contrary to the impression created by the commissioner.

“Available records also show that the abducted candidates are duly registered students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, who were presented for the 2026 NECO SSCE by the school in conjunction with the Kogi State Government.

“The Council’s records further indicate that the 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are bona fide students and not external candidates, contrary to the impression created by the Honourable Commissioner,” the statement read.

To support its position, the council released the school’s SSCE enrolment figures over the last five years, showing that 21 candidates sat the examination in 2021, 20 in 2022, 28 in 2023, 40 in 2024, and 20 in 2025.

NECO also disclosed that the Kogi State Government sponsored the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees of 51 students from the school during the recently concluded 2026 examination.

The Council said it had taken proactive steps to strengthen security at examination centres across Kogi State before the commencement of the 2026 SSCE. It revealed that its state coordinator had written to security agencies requesting enhanced protection, following an earlier attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Ijumu Local Government Area during the 2026 WASSCE.

Reaffirming its commitment to credible examinations, NECO said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice and has implemented wide-ranging reforms under the leadership of its Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi.

“NECO maintains zero tolerance for examination malpractice and has introduced far-reaching reforms aimed at safeguarding the credibility and integrity of its examinations. These measures have led to a significant reduction in reported cases of examination malpractice over the past five years,” the council stated.

It urged public officials and other stakeholders to verify facts before making public statements capable of undermining confidence in educational institutions.

The clarification follows Tuesday’s abduction of the principal of Government Secondary School, Olowa, an external examination supervisor and three candidates during the ongoing NECO SSCE. Four of the victims were later rescued by security operatives.