An atmosphere of tension has enveloped Government Comprehensive High School in Taabaa, located within the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, following accusations that a traditional ruler compelled female students to undergo virginity testing.
The management of the school has kicked against such an act, saying it contravened the dignity of the girl child.
The management staff of the school has also petitioned the Rivers State Ministry of Education, accusing the paramount ruler of Taabaa community, HRH Mene M.S.K Nule, of allegedly forcing virginity testing on female students, invasion of the school premises and taking over of the school farm.
The petition dated October 12, 2026, also seeks immediate investigation by appropriate authorities into the incident, which has been reportedly happening in the last seven years.
Th traditional ruler has denied allegation, but admitted conducting roll calls to identify students who are still virgin and sensitizing them to maintain their virginity until they complete their studies.
Nule disclosed that he started the virginity roll calls in 2020 when he got reports that some teachers of the school were molesting female students.
He said he regularly visits the school with his team and asks students who are virgins to stand up, adding that only one female student stood up when he first conducted the exercise.
He said: “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.
He said though he has been warning students and teachers, by way of subtle threats, that he would come after teachers molesting students, a situation that made many teachers left the school out of fear.
He denied taking the students to a health centre for virginity testing, adding that his efforts were helping the students and school to progress.
Raising concerns about the dignity of girl-child amidst, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), condemned the acts, describing the allegations, if proven, to be grave violations of the rights and dignity of the girl-child, the Child Rights Act and Rivers State Child Rights Law which prohibit dehumanizing treatment for children.
The rights group in a statement on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, called for immediate investigation into the matter.
He called on the authorities to immediately set up an independent fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations.
The Rivers State Government says it has commenced investigation into the report to establish the facts, and will take all appropriate actions, including referral to the relevant authorities, against any person or body found to have been involved.
The Permanent Secretary at the Rivers State Minister of Education, Dr. Mina Tele Ikuru, condemned the reports of alleged forced virginity testing on female students in the school and any other schools in the state.
He urged schools authorities in the 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.
When contacted, the Rivers Police Command spokesperson, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, requested that a message be sent to her, promising to make inquiries and respond.
However, she had not done so as of the time of filling this report.
What You Should Know
A traditional ruler in Rivers State is facing backlash after school management and rights groups accused him of forcing female students to undergo virginity tests under the guise of promoting morals and preventing early sexual activity. While the monarch has denied conducting physical medical tests and claims his actions were meant to encourage academic focus and reward disciplined students, the Rivers State Government has launched an official investigation into the matter.
- Positive Impact: The swift intervention and investigation by the state government and rights groups highlight the importance of safeguarding child rights and holding community leaders accountable.
- Potential Concerns: The incident raises serious legal and ethical questions regarding child protection, consent, and the invasion of students’ privacy by traditional figures within school environments.
