The paramount ruler of Taabaa community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRH Mene M.S.K. Nule, has broken his silence over the controversy trailing alleged virginity tests on female students of Government Comprehensive High School (SNR), Taabaa.
The monarch, who is now under investigation by the Rivers State Government, denied subjecting any student to medical virginity testing, insisting his intention was to protect the girl-child from sexual exploitation and early sexual activity.
Tension had gripped the school after its management petitioned the Rivers State Ministry of Education, accusing the monarch of invading the school premises, taking over the school farm and subjecting female students to forced virginity tests for about seven years.
I Only Did Annual Roll Call To Encourage Them – Monarch
Speaking in his defence, Mene Nule admitted that he conducts annual visits to the school, but said what he does is a roll call to identify students who say they are virgins and to encourage them to remain chaste until they complete their education.
He explained that he started the exercise in 2020 after receiving reports that some teachers were allegedly molesting female students.
According to him, during his first exercise, only one female student stood up when he asked those who were virgins to identify themselves.
The number, he said, increased over the years, with four students standing up in 2025, whom he rewarded with N20,000 each.
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“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.
He added that he warned teachers against molesting students and that some teachers left the school out of fear after his warnings.
Govt, Rights Group Kick
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, condemned the alleged practice, describing it as a grave violation of the dignity of the girl-child and breach of the Child Rights Act and Rivers State Child Rights Law.
The group called for an immediate and impartial investigation and for an independent fact-finding committee to unravel what transpired.
The Rivers State Ministry of Education, through its Permanent Secretary, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, has confirmed that investigation has commenced and warned against any degrading or invasive practice in schools under any guise.
Ikuru said schools must remain safe spaces where the rights and privacy of students are protected.
The Police Command, through ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, said inquiries were ongoing.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine whether any student was coerced, whether medical tests were conducted, and whether appropriate sanctions will follow.
