There are conflicting reports over the death of the Registrar/Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Godswill Obioma.

Obioma was reported to have been killed by gunmen at his residence at London Street, Dutsen Kura area of Minna, Niger, on Monday but family sources said that he died on Monday evening after a brief illness.

Another source said that the late registrar slumped and died in his bedroom.

He was said to have returned from Abuja for an official assignment at about 9 .a.m. and decided to rest before going to the office.

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But a statement from the family of the deceased issued to Malam Mustapha Abdul, the Director, Human Resource of the council, informed the board, management and staff of NECO of the occurrence.

The statement reads: “Dear Sir, this is to formally inform you that my father, Prof. Godswill Obioma, the Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO has passed to eternal glory yesterday 31/5/2021 after a brief illness.

“We request that you kindly notify the board, management and the entire staff of the council of this development. We shall keep you duly informed”.

Head of Information and Publicity of NECO, Malam Azeez Sani and the police public relations officer of the Police Command in the state could not be reached for details

Obioma was appointed on the May 15, 2020 via a letter with Reference No: FME/PS/396/C1/1/134 signed by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

The appointment of the late Obioma, 67, for an initial of five-year tenure, took effect from May 14, 2020.