Dekina Abduction: Forum Backs NECO, Faults Kogi Govt’s Remarks,Demands Apology

The Forum of Igala Journalists has criticised the Kogi State Government for describing Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area as a “miracle centre” after the recent abduction of candidates and officials during the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.

In a statement dated July 17, 2026 and signed by its President, Omonu Gowon Nelson, the forum described the government’s comment as defamatory and ill-advised, accusing it of attempting to shift attention away from the years of neglect suffered by the school.
The group said the government should be more concerned about the poor state of the institution rather than branding the school and its students. It maintained that the allegation was aimed at distracting the public from the deteriorating infrastructure and the broader challenges affecting education in Kogi East. The forum also lamented that parents have been forced to spend their personal resources on repairing neglected schools across the region.
The journalists welcomed NECO’s clarification that Government Secondary School, Olowa, is not a miracle centre and that the examination conducted there was legitimate. NECO stated that the abducted candidates and officials were participating in a lawful examination and that the attack was purely a criminal act unrelated to examination malpractice.
The forum thanked the examination body for correcting what it described as a misleading narrative, saying the clarification restored the dignity of the students, teachers and school management. It called on the Kogi State Government to withdraw its description of the school, apologise to the affected community, and urgently improve infrastructure at Government Secondary School, Olowa, and other schools across Kogi East.
The forum also urged public officials to exercise caution when making statements on sensitive security issues, stressing that careless comments could further traumatise victims and unfairly stigmatise innocent students and communities. It commended security agencies for rescuing the abducted candidates and officials and reaffirmed its commitment to responsible journalism in Dekina and across Kogi State.