Benue Students Set Principal’s House On Fire Over Missing NECO Registration

Sunday June 29, 2025

There was tension in Benue State on Saturday, June 28, as final-year students of Gyutiev Model College allegedly set fire to the residence of their school principal after discovering they were not registered for the 2025 NECO examination, despite paying ₦85,000 each.Best online courses TJ News Nigeria gathered that the students, mostly SS3 candidates, had been preparing for their external exams, only to find out that their names were missing from the official National Examinations Council (NECO) list.

Eyewitnesses say the students acted out of anger after multiple attempts to get an explanation from the principal failed. The incident occurred in Gboko Local Government Area and involved over 170 students, according to preliminary reports.

According to a source familiar with the case, each student was required to pay ₦85,000 for NECO registration — a sum reportedly collected by the principal earlier in the academic year.

However, shortly before the exam date, the students reportedly discovered that no registration was submitted to NECO on their behalf.

Frustrated and feeling scammed, the students allegedly mobilized and stormed the principal’s residence, setting the property ablaze. No injuries have been reported as of press time.

TJ News Nigeria learnt that Benue State Police Command has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident. Similarly, efforts to reach school officials or representatives of the Benue State Ministry of Education have so far proved unsuccessful.Online learning materialsNigerian productsBest online courses Local community leaders have condemned the arson but also called for an urgent investigation into the allegations of exam fraud by the school authorities.