The Rivers State Government has launched an investigation into allegations that 16 female students were selected for forced virginity testing at a secondary school in Khana Local Government Area.
The alleged incident occurred on September 17 at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, when people claiming to represent a traditional institution reportedly visited the school under the pretext of offering scholarships and exercise books.
According to the state Ministry of Education, the visitors allegedly selected 16 female students for the exercise, prompting objections and a peaceful protest by students.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mina Tele-Ikuru, on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, the government condemned the alleged act and said no individual, traditional institution, community body or private organisation had the authority to subject students to virginity testing or other forms of abuse.
The ministry said the alleged practice violated the dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of the students, stressing that educational assistance must be provided transparently and without conditions that undermine beneficiaries’ safety.
It said investigations were under way to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and that anyone found culpable would face appropriate action, including referral to relevant authorities.
The government also warned individuals and community organisations against selecting, examining or testing female students for virginity, either directly or indirectly.
It directed schools across the state to uphold child-protection standards and ensure that students were not subjected to coercive, degrading or invasive practices under the guise of cultural traditions, scholarships, disciplinary measures or community development programmes.
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