NECO Clears Kogi School of Exam Fraud Claims Following Kidnap Incident

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dismissed allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Kogi State operates as a "miracle centre," insisting the institution is a recognised public secondary school with a long record of participating in its examinations. The clarification follows claims made after the abduction of five people—including examination officials, the school principal and students—during the ongoing 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). In a statement issued on Friday, NECO described the school as a government-owned institution that has existed for more than four decades and has consistently presented candidates for the council's examinations since 2000. The examination body also expressed sympathy for the victims and commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for securing the release of four of those abducted. Responding to reports that the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, described the school as a "miracle centre," NECO maintained that available records do not support such claims. According to the council, the school's principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, is a senior civil servant, while the external supervisor who was abducted is also a government employee. It added that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are duly enrolled students and not external candidates. To reinforce its position, NECO released the school's examination records, showing consistent candidate participation over the past five years. It also disclosed that the Kogi State Government sponsored 51 students from the school for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination. The council further revealed that it had requested enhanced security for examination centres across Kogi State before the commencement of the 2026 SSCE, following an earlier attack on another school during the WAEC examination. Reaffirming its commitment to credible examinations, NECO said it continues to enforce strict anti-malpractice measures and has introduced reforms aimed at strengthening the integrity of its assessment process. The council urged public officials and stakeholders to verify information before making statements capable of damaging the reputation of educational institutions, stressing that investigations into the abduction and related security concerns remain ongoing.

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