Benue Students Burn Principal’s House Over Unregistered NECO Exams

Students of Gyutiev Model College in Saghev Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, allegedly set fire to the residence of their principal, Mr. Isaac Yina, in the early hours of Friday following a serious examination controversy.

Reports indicate that the final-year students were enraged after discovering they had not been registered for the 2025 National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. Each student had reportedly paid ₦85,000, totaling millions of naira from 178 affected candidates.

The students claimed the principal collected the full fees but failed to process their NECO registration, prompting them to retaliate by setting his house ablaze.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, stated that the incident had not yet been officially reported to her office. She assured that investigations would be made and the public updated accordingly.

This development comes amid heightened tensions in Guma LGA, which recently made headlines following a deadly attack in Yelwata community that claimed over 200 lives.