The Forum of Igala Journalists has condemned the Kogi State Government for describing Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area as a “miracle centre” following the recent abduction of candidates and officials during the National Examinations Council, NECO, examination.
In a statement dated July 17, 2026 and signed by the President of the forum, Omonu Gowon Nelson, the group described the government’s remarks as unguarded and defamatory, accusing authorities of attempting to divert attention from years of neglect suffered by the school.
The forum said the state government ought to be embarrassed by the poor condition of the institution rather than criminalise the school and its students.
“We reject in totality the Kogi State Government’s description of Government Secondary School, Olowa, as a miracle centre. Instead of showing concern over the prolonged neglect and deplorable state of the school, the government has chosen to stigmatise the institution and its students,” the statement said.
According to the forum, the allegation was intended to distract the public from the deteriorating infrastructure at the school and the wider challenges confronting the education sector in Kogi East.
It lamented that primary and secondary schools in the region have suffered decades of neglect, forcing parents to spend their limited resources on repairs and maintenance.
“It is painful that the government is adding to the burden of parents who struggle to rehabilitate schools with their meagre resources,” the statement added.
The journalists welcomed NECO’s clarification that Government Secondary School, Olowa, is not a miracle centre and that the examination conducted at the school was legitimate.
“The school where the abduction occurred is not a miracle centre. Our candidates and officials were carrying out legitimate examinations. The attack was criminal and had nothing to do with examination malpractice,” NECO stated.
The forum expressed gratitude to the examination body for correcting what it described as a misleading narrative and safeguarding the reputation of the students, teachers and management of the school.
“We thank God that the National Examinations Council has clarified the issue. The clarification restores the dignity of the students, teachers and management of the school, who were victims of a criminal act rather than perpetrators,” the statement said.
The forum called on the Kogi State Government to withdraw the description, apologise to the affected school community and urgently address the poor state of infrastructure at Government Secondary School, Olowa, and other educational institutions across Kogi East.
It also urged public officials to exercise caution in their comments, particularly on sensitive security matters.
“Words matter. They can further traumatise victims or unfairly stigmatise innocent students and communities,” the statement noted.
The journalists commended security agencies for rescuing the abducted candidates and officials and pledged to continue providing responsible coverage of events in Dekina and other parts of Kogi State.