The Rivers State Ministry of Education has condemned reports of alleged forced virginity testing of female students at Government Comprehensive High School (Senior Secondary), Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The alleged incident reportedly involved individuals claiming to represent a traditional institution in the community.
The ministry disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, and the Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor.
According to the statement, the ministry received a report alleging that individuals claiming to act on behalf of the traditional institution visited the school to select female students for virginity testing under the guise of offering scholarships and exercise books.
The statement said 16 female students were allegedly selected for the exercise on Thursday, September 17, 2026, prompting objections and a peaceful protest by students.
Describing the allegations as serious and disturbing, the ministry said the reported conduct raised concerns about the dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of schoolchildren.
It stressed that no individual, traditional institution, community body or private organisation had the authority to subject students to virginity testing or any other form of abuse.
The ministry added that educational assistance, including scholarships and exercise books, must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety, dignity or rights of beneficiaries.
It said an investigation had commenced to establish the facts surrounding the incident, adding that appropriate action, including referral to relevant authorities, would be taken against anyone found culpable.
The ministry also cautioned individuals, traditional institutions and community organisations against activities involving the selection, examination or testing of female students for virginity, whether directly or indirectly.
It further directed schools across Rivers State to uphold the highest standards of child protection and ensure that students were not subjected to degrading, coercive or invasive practices under the guise of cultural traditions, scholarship programmes, disciplinary measures or community development initiatives.
The statement assured the affected students, their parents and guardians, and the wider school community that their concerns were being taken seriously.
It reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to protecting the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of every student in the state.
