The Rivers State authorities has commenced an investigation into the alleged pressured virginity checks on feminine college students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa in Khana native authorities space of the state.
The everlasting secretary within the ministry, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, who disclosed this in a press release, condemned the alleged incident, describing it as a severe violation of the dignity, privateness and elementary rights of schoolchildren.
According to the assertion, some individuals allegedly appearing on behalf of a conventional establishment locally visited the college to pick feminine college students for virginity checks underneath the guise of providing scholarships and train books.
The assertion stated 16 feminine college students have been allegedly chosen for the train on Thursday, September 17, 2026, prompting objections and a peaceable protest by the scholars.
The ministry described the allegations as disturbing, stressing that no particular person, conventional establishment, group physique or non-public organisation had the authority to topic college students to virginity testing or another type of abuse.
It added that instructional help, together with scholarships and train books, should be offered transparently and with out circumstances that compromise the protection, dignity or elementary rights of beneficiaries.
The assertion stated the ministry had begun investigating the report to determine the details and would take applicable motion, together with referring the matter to related authorities, towards any individual or group discovered culpable.
It additionally cautioned conventional establishments, group our bodies and people towards participating in actions involving the choice, examination or testing of feminine college students for virginity, both immediately or not directly.
The ministry additional directed all faculties in Rivers State to take care of the best requirements of kid safety and be certain that no scholar was subjected to degrading, coercive or invasive practices underneath the guise of cultural traditions, scholarship programmes, disciplinary measures or group improvement initiatives.
It assured the affected college students, their dad and mom and guardians, and the broader college group that their considerations have been being taken critically.
The ministry reiterated its dedication to defending the protection, dignity and elementary rights of each scholar always.
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