Rivers School Petitions Ministry Over Alleged Seven-Year Virginity Testing Controversy

Tension has reportedly gripped Taabaa community in Khanna Local Government Area of Rivers State following allegations that a traditional ruler subjected female students of Government Comprehensive High School (SNR) to forced virginity tests.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the school’s management has strongly opposed the alleged practice, describing it as an infringement on the dignity and rights of the girl child.

The school management has petitioned the Rivers State Ministry of Education, accusing the paramount ruler of Taabaa community, HRH Mene M.S.K. Nule, of allegedly compelling female students to undergo virginity testing, invading the school premises and taking control of the school farm.

The petition, dated October 12, 2026, reportedly called for an immediate investigation into the allegations, which the school management claimed had persisted for approximately seven years.

However, the traditional ruler has denied forcing students to undergo virginity tests. He acknowledged conducting what he described as virginity roll calls, during which female students who considered themselves virgins were asked to stand up. He said the exercise was intended to encourage students to avoid early sexual activity and concentrate on their education.

Nule explained that he began the practice in 2020 after receiving reports that some teachers were allegedly sexually molesting female students. According to him, he started visiting the school with members of his team to address the issue and encourage students to preserve their virginity until they completed their studies.

The monarch recalled that only one female student stood up during the first exercise. He claimed that the number increased to four by 2025, adding that each of the four students received ₦20,000 as a reward.

He maintained that the money was given directly to the students rather than their parents and insisted that his activities were intended to protect the girls and improve the school environment.

The traditional ruler also said he had repeatedly warned teachers against sexually exploiting students, adding that his warnings had caused some teachers to leave the school out of fear. He, however, denied taking students to any health facility for virginity testing.

The controversy has attracted the attention of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), which condemned the alleged conduct and called for an immediate investigation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the organisation said that, if established, the allegations would constitute serious violations of the rights and dignity of the girl child. It also raised concerns about possible breaches of the Child Rights Act and the Rivers State Child Rights Law, which prohibit degrading and dehumanising treatment of children.

The rights organisation urged the relevant authorities to establish an independent fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations and determine what occurred.

The matter has intensified calls for authorities to protect students from abuse and ensure that any measures introduced in schools respect children’s fundamental rights, dignity and personal privacy.