Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Examinations Council has strongly dismissed claims that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, operates as a "miracle examination centre," insisting that the institution is a legitimate public school with a verifiable history of presenting candidates for national examinations. The clarification came on Friday, July 17, 2026, following the abduction of five persons, including the school principal, a NECO official and candidates, during the ongoing 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination.
In a statement signed by its Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, NECO categorically denied allegations that the examination centre was a "miracle centre". The council noted that the school, which is owned by the Kogi State Government, has existed for over 40 years and has consistently presented candidates for the NECO Senior School Certificate Examination since the year 2000.
NECO's rebuttal directly contradicted comments attributed to the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who had reportedly described the school as a "miracle centre" used by external candidates. The council stated that its records confirm that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are bona fide students of the institution and not external candidates. To reinforce its position, NECO released the school's SSCE enrolment figures over the past five years, showing that it presented 21 candidates in 2021, 20 in 2022, 28 in 2023, 40 in 2024 and 20 in 2025.
The examination body further clarified 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 examination supervisor, Mr. Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the state government. The council also noted that the Kogi State Government paid the examination fees of 51 candidates from the same school for the recently concluded 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, further underscoring its status as a recognised public secondary school.
While sympathising with the victims, NECO commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for their coordinated efforts, which led to the rescue of the remaining four victims from captivity. The council also disclosed that before the commencement of the 2026 SSCE, its Kogi State Coordinator had written to security agencies, requesting enhanced protection for examination centres across the state. The move was informed by an earlier terrorist attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Ijumu Local Government Area during the 2026 WAEC Senior School Certificate Examination.
Reaffirming its commitment to credible examinations, NECO said it maintains zero tolerance for examination malpractice under the leadership of its Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi. The council urged public officials and other stakeholders to verify facts before making public statements capable of damaging the reputation of institutions or causing unnecessary public anxiety.
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