Rivers Govt probes monarch over alleged forced virginity tests on students

The Rivers State Government has launched an investigation into allegations that a traditional ruler forced female students to undergo virginity tests in the Khana Local Government Area.

The exercise, which reportedly took place at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, has generated unrest across the Khana Local Government Area.

According to Daily Trust, the management staff of the school recently petitioned the Rivers State Ministry of Education, accusing the paramount ruler of the Taabaa community, HRH Mene M.S.K Nule, for enforcing the virginity tests.

The petition dated October 12, 2026, also accused the monarch of invading the school premises and illegally taking over the school farm, adding that the practices had reportedly persisted for seven years.

The traditional ruler, when responding to the allegation, denied taking the students to a health centre for physical tests. He, however, admitted to conducting routine roll calls to identify female students who are still virgins, explaining that the exercise was intended to protect the girls from alleged molestation by some teachers.

“I always speak to them on the need to focus on their education and not indulge in early sexual activities…I always carry out these activities annually and by 2025, we got four students who stood up as virgins and I rewarded them, the students, not their parents, with N20,000 each”, the monarch said.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) condemned the acts, describing it as grave violations of the dignity of the girl-child. The rights group warned that such actions contravene the Child Rights Act and the Rivers State Child Rights Law, which prohibit the dehumanising treatment of minors.

The Permanent Secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. Mina Tele Ikuru, condemned the alleged practices, urging school authorities across the state to ensure no student is subjected to degrading or invasive practices under the guise of cultural tradition or community development.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command says it is already looking into the matter. The command’s spokesperson, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, promised that investigations are underway to ascertain the situation at the school and ensure justice is served.