Update On NECO Boss: Police Debunk Murder Story, Say Prof Obioma Died In Abuja After Brief Illness

By Ayodele Oni

Both the FCT and Niger State Police Commands  have  put a lie  to Media reports that the Registrar/Chief executive of the National Examinations Council, (NECO), Prof Godswill Obioma was killed in his Kaduna home by yet to be identified gunmen.

Media reports, quoting his wife, Elizabeth, had said that  the NECO boss was strangled to death on his return from Abuja  by yet to be identified assassins who, unknown to them, were lurking within his compound.

But soon, a letter to the Director,Human Resource  Manager, NECO, Mustapha K. Abdul, by the Professor’s first son, Prince Godwin Obioma, informed him that his father passed on after a brief illness.

The junior Obioma’s version has been confirmed by the Police. The FCT Command said he died at the National Hospital after he was rushed  there.

The Niger Police Command in a release stated that: “The attention of Niger State Police Command has been drawn to a publication circulating in some section of social media and national dailies that NECO Registrar Prof. Godswill Obioma was murdered by unknown gunmen in Minna.”

The release, signed by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Abiodun Wasiu, said  that: “This story is totally false, untrue and a pure element of fake news.

“It is important to state, categorically, that on 31st May, 2021 the Registrar/CEO National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Godswill Obioma, was rushed to National Hospital Abuja by his family members where he was later confirmed dead, after a brief illness.

“However, the family of the deceased has, also, confirmed the incident and formally notified the Management and  Staff of NECO of the demise of the  Registrar.

“Members of the public are hereby urged to disregard the fake news and, news reporters are advised to always verify their report before publication to avoid creating unnecessary panic and fear in public domain.”

The questions are: Why would his wife, Elizabeth, claim her husband was strangled to death? And, why has she not denied speaking to the Media on the manner of her husband’s  death? Is there an in-fighting  within the family? Or was the alleged claim by his wife fabricated by a mischief source?

Prof Obioma, a native of Abia State was appointed NECO Boss barely one year ago. He was aged 67 years.