A fresh wave of unrest has swept through Benue State—this time not from armed conflict, but from a crisis rooted in alleged educational fraud.
In a shocking incident that unfolded in Saghev Ward of Guma Local Government Area, final-year students of Gyutiev Model College reportedly set their principal’s house ablaze after accusing him of defrauding them of ₦85,000 each under the pretense of registering them for the 2025 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
According to community sources, tensions began brewing when final-year students learned—just days before the examination—that their names were not on NECO’s official list of registered candidates. Despite making full payments of ₦85,000 each, totaling over ₦15 million from 178 students, there was reportedly no proof that the registrations had ever been completed.
Faced with the crushing realization that they would miss a critical academic milestone, some students allegedly took matters into their own hands. In the early hours of Friday, a group reportedly stormed the home of the school principal, identified as Mr. Isaac Yina, and set it ablaze in a violent protest against what they saw as betrayal and exploitation.
Eyewitnesses from Saghev community confirmed the house was completely destroyed by the fire. The whereabouts of Mr. Yina remain unknown, and he was not present during the attack. As of the time of this report, he had not made any public statement, and attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
When contacted by Daily Post, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, SP Udeme Edet, stated that she had yet to receive a full briefing on the incident. “When I find out, I will let you know,” she said, offering neither confirmation nor denial of the attack.
The incident has stirred strong reactions across local communities and social platforms, with many calling for an urgent investigation. Beyond the immediate damage, the case highlights broader concerns over accountability in schools, financial mismanagement, and the desperation facing many young Nigerians trying to secure an education in a failing system.
As investigations unfold, education authorities and law enforcement are under pressure to ensure justice is served and reforms put in place to protect students from similar experiences in the future.