The National Examinations Council (NECO) has strongly refuted allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State operates as a "miracle centre" for examination malpractice, following a brazen abduction of candidates and officials during the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Background of the Attack
Gunmen attacked the school on Tuesday, abducting students, the principal, and a NECO ad hoc official. The incident prompted the commanding officer of the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Godiya Solomon Monde, to publicly label the school a centre for examination malpractice. In a statement issued on Friday, NECO's Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, said the council categorically disagrees with the commanding officer's characterization and provided evidence to defend the school's integrity.
School's Credentials and History
According to NECO, Government Secondary School, Olowa is a state-owned institution that has existed for more than 40 years and has been consistently presenting candidates for the SSCE since the year 2000. The examination body clarified that the abducted principal, Daniel Iyamaa, is a Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi State Civil Service, while the kidnapped supervisor, Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the state government. NECO further stated that all 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are legitimate students and not external candidates, contrary to suggestions that the school operated as a "miracle centre."
Consistent Enrolment and Government Support
The council noted that the school's SSCE enrolment has remained consistent over the years, with 21 candidates in 2021, 20 in 2022, 28 in 2023, 40 in 2024, 20 in 2025, and 28 in 2026. It also disclosed that the Kogi State Government paid examination fees for 51 students from the school for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This financial backing underscores the government's confidence in the school's legitimate operations.
Response to the Abduction
NECO expressed sympathy for those affected by the attack and commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for rescuing the remaining abductees after a coordinated operation. The council added that before the commencement of the 2026 SSCE, it had requested additional security support following an earlier attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, during the 2026 WASSCE. This indicates a broader security concern for examination centres in the region.
Zero-Tolerance on Malpractice
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, NECO said reforms introduced under its Registrar and Chief Executive, Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, have significantly reduced malpractice cases in recent years. The council urged public officials and stakeholders to verify facts before making public statements capable of damaging the reputation of educational institutions. The statement serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate information, especially in the aftermath of a traumatic event like a school abduction.
