…As 16 students are reportedly selected, others protest in Taabaa
The Rivers State Ministry of Education has condemned reports of alleged forced virginity testing of female students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The ministry described the alleged incident as disturbing, warning that no traditional institution, community body or private organisation has the authority to subject schoolchildren to virginity testing or any other form of abuse.
According to a press statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, persons claiming to represent a traditional institution in the community allegedly visited the school to select female students for the exercise.
The ministry said the individuals reportedly used the offer of scholarships and exercise books as an inducement to select the students for the exercise.
It stated that 16 female students were allegedly selected on Thursday, September 17, 2026, an action that reportedly triggered objections and a peaceful protest by students.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged exercise have raised concerns about the protection of schoolchildren, particularly their dignity, privacy and fundamental rights.
Condemning the reported incident, the ministry said educational assistance, including scholarships and the distribution of exercise books, must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety, dignity or rights of beneficiaries.
It stressed that no cultural tradition, scholarship programme, disciplinary measure or community development initiative should be used as a justification for subjecting students to degrading, coercive or invasive practices.
The ministry disclosed that it had commenced an investigation to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and would take appropriate action, including referring the matter to relevant authorities, against any person or organisation found culpable.
It also cautioned traditional institutions, community organisations and individuals against engaging in activities involving the selection, examination or testing of female students for virginity, either directly or indirectly.
As part of measures to prevent a recurrence, the ministry directed all schools in Rivers State to uphold the highest standards of child protection and ensure that students are not exposed to practices that violate their rights.
The statement assured the affected students, their parents and guardians, as well as the wider school community, that their concerns were being taken seriously.
“The position of the Rivers State Ministry of Education is unequivocal: the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of every student must be protected at all times,” the ministry stated.
The ministry did not identify the traditional institution allegedly involved in the incident or disclose the outcome of its ongoing investigation.
Virginity testing, which involves attempts to determine whether a girl or woman has had sexual intercourse, has attracted widespread criticism from human rights and health advocates because it lacks scientific validity and can violate bodily autonomy and human dignity.
The Rivers State government’s condemnation underscores the need to protect female students from coercion and ensure that access to educational support is not made conditional on invasive examinations.
