The Rivers State Government has launched an investigation following a protest at a public secondary school in Khana Local Government Area over allegations of forced virginity testing involving female students.
The Commissioner for Education, Peters Nwagor, disclosed that a group of individuals visited Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, on September 17, 2026, under the pretext of distributing scholarships and exercise books.
According to the commissioner, the visitors, who were reportedly members of the local community, selected 16 female students for an alleged virginity-testing exercise. The students strongly resisted the process, leading to protests within the school.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education condemned the incident and described the allegations as deeply troubling.
“The Rivers State Ministry of Education strongly condemns reports of the alleged forced virginity testing of female students at Government Comprehensive High School (Senior Secondary), Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area, reportedly involving members of a traditional institution in the community,” the statement read.
“According to information received by the Ministry, individuals claiming to represent the institution visited the school and sought to identify female students for virginity testing under the guise of providing scholarships and educational materials.”
Nwagor described the allegations as “extremely serious and disturbing,” noting that they raise significant concerns about the dignity, privacy, welfare, and fundamental rights of students.
He emphasized that no individual, traditional institution, community group, or private organisation has the authority to subject students to virginity testing or any other form of abuse.
“Educational support, including scholarships and the distribution of exercise books, must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety, dignity, or rights of beneficiaries,” he said.
The commissioner said the ministry has commenced a full investigation to establish the facts and determine the extent of any wrongdoing.
“The Ministry will take all necessary and appropriate measures, including referring the matter to relevant authorities, against any individual or organisation found to be involved,” he added.
Nwagor further warned traditional institutions, community organisations, and other stakeholders against engaging in any form of selection, examination, or testing of female students for virginity, whether directly or indirectly.
He noted that all schools across the state have been directed to strictly uphold child protection standards and ensure that students are not subjected to degrading, coercive, or invasive practices disguised as cultural traditions, scholarship schemes, disciplinary measures, or community development initiatives.
The commissioner assured students, parents, guardians, and members of the public that their concerns are being treated with utmost seriousness.
“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,” he stated.
