The Rivers State Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into allegations that the traditional ruler of Taabaa community in Khana Local Government Area, Mene Nule, planned to subject female students to virginity tests.
The controversy followed a petition by the management of Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, accusing the monarch and members of his team of visiting the school to collect information on female students for the alleged exercise.
In the petition dated October 12 and signed by the school’s Vice-Principal, Bieh Gloria, the school raised concerns over the alleged invasion of its premises, a plan to take over its farm, damage to property and the alleged assault and dehumanisation of female students.
The petition claimed that the monarch and his council members had been visiting the school for about seven years, identifying female students for virginity tests supposedly linked to scholarship awards and the distribution of two 60-leaf exercise books.
Reacting to the allegations, the ministry condemned the reported incident and announced an investigation.
In a statement dated October 22, 2026, and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, the ministry said the allegations raised serious concerns about the dignity, privacy and fundamental rights of schoolchildren.
According to the ministry, individuals claiming to represent the traditional institution allegedly visited the school on September 17, 2026, under the guise of offering scholarships and exercise books before selecting female students for the exercise.
The development reportedly triggered objections and a peaceful protest by students.
However, Nule denied conducting or planning to conduct virginity tests on the students, describing the allegations as an attempt by some people in the community to tarnish his reputation.
The monarch said his visits to the school were part of a long-standing effort to support students at his alma mater, which he had attended himself.
He explained that he began giving back to the school in 2004 while he was still an undergraduate, initially supplying chalk for students from Junior Secondary School One to Senior Secondary School Three.
According to him, after becoming king in 2012, he expanded the gesture to include books and school bags.
Nule admitted introducing what he called a “virginity roll call” in 2020, following reports that some teachers were allegedly sexually abusing female students.
He said the exercise was intended to discourage early sexual activity and encourage students to concentrate on their education.
The monarch claimed that he visited classrooms with his team and teachers, asking female students who considered themselves virgins to stand up.
He alleged that only one student stood up during one of the visits.
Nule said he continued the initiative annually and that, by 2025, four students had identified themselves as virgins and received ₦20,000 each.
He, however, denied taking any student to a hospital, health centre or doctor for virginity testing, insisting that his intervention was limited to counselling and encouraging students to make responsible choices.
The monarch also challenged anyone with evidence that he had subjected students to medical examinations to come forward.
He argued that he would not subject other people’s children to a procedure he had never carried out on his own daughter.
Nule said he was disappointed that his efforts to support the school had been misconstrued, maintaining that his intention was to protect students and promote their education.
The ministry’s investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
