The National Examinations Council has strongly dismissed claims that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Kogi State, is a “miracle centre.”
Five individuals were recently abducted from the public institution during the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination.
The examination body extended its sympathies to the victims while praising the Kogi State Government and security agencies for securing their release.
However, the Council firmly rejected statements attributed to the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who labeled the school a miracle centre.
In a statement signed by Azeez Sani, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, NECO clarified that the school is a public institution owned by the state government.
The Council noted that the school has existed for over 40 years and has consistently presented candidates for the NECO SSCE since 2000.
Furthermore, NECO pointed out that the abducted principal, Elder Daniel Iyamaa, is a high-ranking Grade Level 17 officer within the Kogi State Civil Service.
The examination body added that the kidnapped supervisor, Mr. Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 state employee posted from Community Secondary School, Effin.
According to official records, all 28 candidates registered for the 2026 SSCE are bona fide students rather than external candidates.
The Council disclosed that the school’s historical enrolment reflects regular participation, listing: “2025: 20 candidates, 2024: 40 candidates, 2023: 28 candidates, 2022: 20 candidates, 2021: 21 candidates.”
NECO revealed it had formally requested security patrols before the exams, adding, “The move followed the terrorist attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Ijumu Local Government Area, during the 2026 WAEC examination.”
