The National Examinations Council (NECO) has dismissed allegations that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, where five persons were abducted on Tuesday, is a “miracle centre.”
The examination body described the claim as false and defended the integrity of the state-owned school, insisting that all the candidates registered for the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) are bona fide students.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Azeez Sani, NECO said it strongly disagreed with comments attributed to the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, who reportedly described the school as a miracle centre.
According to the council, Government Secondary School, Olowa, has existed for more than 40 years and has consistently presented candidates for the NECO SSCE since 2000.
“NECO wishes to set the record straight by stating that the school, which is owned by the Kogi State Government, has been in existence for over 40 years and has been presenting candidates for the NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) since the year 2000,” the statement read.
The council said its records confirmed that the abducted candidates were duly registered students of the school and were presented for the 2026 SSCE by the institution in collaboration with the Kogi State Government.
It further stated that the 28 candidates registered by the school for this year’s examination are genuine students of the institution and not external candidates, contrary to the impression created by the commissioner’s remarks.
“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 added.
NECO expressed sympathy with the abducted victims and their families over the traumatic incident.
The council also commended the Kogi State Government and security agencies for their swift and coordinated efforts, which resulted in the rescue of the remaining four abducted victims.
The clarification comes amid concerns over the security of candidates sitting for public examinations following the abduction incident in Kogi State.
