Rivers Govt condemns alleged forced virginity testing of female secondary school students

The Rivers State Government has condemned reports of alleged forced virginity testing of female students of Government Comprehensive High School (Senior Secondary), Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area of the state. 

The Ministry of Education in a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, described the reports as disturbing, stressing 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.

According to a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Mina Tele-Ikuru, on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, the incident allegedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, when some persons claiming to represent a 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, prompting objections and a peaceful protest by students.

The ministry expressed concern that the alleged action violated the dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of the affected students, insisting that educational assistance must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety and rights of beneficiaries.

It said an investigation had commenced to establish the facts surrounding the incident, assuring the public that appropriate action would be taken against anyone found culpable.

“The Rivers State Ministry of Education strongly condemns reports of alleged forced virginity testing of female students of Government Comprehensive High School (Senior Secondary), Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area, allegedly involving members of a traditional institution in the community,” the statement read. 

"According to the report received by the Ministry, persons claiming to act on behalf of that institution visited the school to select female students for virginity testing under the guise of offering scholarships and exercise books. 

"On Thursday, 17th September, 2026, sixteen (16) female students were allegedly selected for the exercise, prompting objections and a peaceful protest by students.

"The Ministry considers these allegations extremely serious and disturbing, as they concern the dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of schoolchildren.

"No individual, traditional institution, community body or private organisation has the authority to subject students to virginity testing or any other form of abuse.

"Educational assistance, including scholarships and exercise books, must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety, dignity or rights of beneficiaries.

"The Ministry has commenced an investigation into the report to establish the facts, and will take all appropriate action, including referral to the relevant authorities, against any person or body found to have been involved.

"In the meantime, the Ministry cautions all persons, traditional institutions and community bodies to refrain from any activity involving the selection, examination or testing of female students for virginity, whether directly or indirectly.

"The Ministry further directs all schools in Rivers State to uphold the highest standards of child protection and to ensure that no student is subjected to degrading, coercive or invasive practices under the guise of cultural tradition, scholarship programmes, disciplinary measures or community development initiatives.

"The Ministry assures the students of Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, their parents and guardians, and the wider school community that their concerns are 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.”