The Rivers State Government has commenced an investigation into the alleged pressured virginity testing of 16 feminine college students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The state Ministry of Education disclosed this in an announcement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, condemning the alleged incident as a severe violation of the dignity, privateness and basic rights of schoolchildren.
According to the assertion, some people allegedly performing on behalf of a standard establishment in the neighborhood visited the varsity on Thursday, September 17, 2026, to pick out feminine college students for virginity testing below the guise of providing scholarships and train books.
The assertion stated 16 feminine college students have been allegedly chosen for the train, prompting objections and a peaceable protest by the scholars.
The ministry described the allegations as disturbing, stressing that no particular person, conventional establishment, neighborhood physique or personal organisation had the authority to topic college students to virginity testing or every other type of abuse.
It added that instructional help, together with scholarships and train books, should be offered transparently and with out situations that compromise the security, dignity or basic rights of beneficiaries.
The assertion stated the ministry had begun investigating the report to determine the information and would take acceptable motion towards any individual or group discovered culpable.
It added that the matter may very well be referred to related authorities for additional motion, relying on the findings of the investigation.
The ministry additionally cautioned conventional establishments, neighborhood our bodies and people towards partaking in actions involving the choice, examination or testing of feminine college students for virginity, both straight or not directly.
It additional directed all faculties in Rivers State to keep up the very best requirements of kid safety and make sure that no scholar was subjected to degrading, coercive or invasive practices below the guise of cultural traditions, scholarship programmes, disciplinary measures or neighborhood improvement initiatives.
The ministry assured the affected college students, their mother and father and guardians, and the broader college neighborhood that their issues have been being taken critically.
It reiterated its dedication to defending the security, dignity and basic rights of each scholar always.
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