On March 6, Nollywood actress‑turned‑evangelist Tonto Dikeh shared videos showing her leading what she described as a deliverance prayer for a schoolgirl during an outreach at a public school. She claimed to have confronted a “spirit of death” and drew dozens of students to Christianity.
While the footage quickly went viral, it also sparked sharp criticism online. Figures like Damola Olatunji and Doris Ogala questioned the ethics and safety of involving children in such an event, raising concerns about where faith, celebrity influence, and child protection intersect.
What Happened at the School
Tonto Dikeh posted a series of videos on her Instagram showing her and her team praying with students. According to her account, the outreach had just finished when she sensed a “spirit of death” in the environment, prompting her to organize the deliverance session.
In the clips, a young girl told Dikeh that she had been repeatedly seeing bats which Dikeh interpreted as a sign of spiritual attack. Dikeh and her team then conducted an intense prayer session, declaring the “spirit of death” confronted and claiming the girl received deliverance. She also said that over 100 students accepted Christianity during the outreach.
The videos went viral, sparking praise from some viewers who saw the event as a positive spiritual intervention, and criticism from others who questioned a celebrity performing such acts in a school environment.
Reactions and Why Critics Are Alarmed
The videos drew immediate attention from public figures and netizens. Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) sharply criticised the deliverance session carried out by Tonto Dikeh, describing the act as “nonsense” and issuing a strong warning.
In videos shared on March 6 and 7, 2026, he questioned why such public deliverance sessions are often performed on children from poor backgrounds for online content. He asked why the same actions are rarely carried out on children from wealthy families, or even on the celebrity’s own son. In his words:
“With all due respect to TONTO DIKEH…..this is a warning DO NOT COME TO MY AREA TO DO THIS AGAIN….NA ONLY POOR MAN CHILDREN GOOD TO TEST YOUR POWERS, LEAVE MY AREA KIDS ALONE, we want to raise kids with real life orientation not an ideology that if you don’t make it there is something following you from village, prayers are good however without work prayers are not useful..TAKE YOUR NEW CONTENT SOMEWHERE ELSE LEAVE GHETTO KIDS ALONE.”
VDM also claimed the school where the incident took place is located in his neighbourhood and said he and others contributed more than ₦30 million to renovate it. He warned that the actress should not return to the area to conduct similar activities again, adding that he had informed local youths to ensure it does not happen.
He further argued that children should be raised with practical life guidance and encouraged to value hard work, rather than being taught that their struggles are caused by witchcraft or so-called “village spirits.” VDM added:
“WHEN I SAW THE REASON BEHIND THE TONTO DIKEH VIRAL DELIVERANCE WITH AN INNOCENT GIRL I WAS MORE PIZZD……TONTO YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, I have told all the boys in that area to make sure what you did yesterday never repeat itself again, you have put a stigma on that poor innocent girl because you want to glorify your self in your new FOUND CONTENT…..LEAVE DURUMI ALONE, OR CREATE AWARENESS ON THE POOR STATE OF THINGS THE PEOPLE ARE FACING.”
Nollywood actress Doris Ogala also expressed concern. She argued that Tonto had put a child in a vulnerable position, filming the process without parental permission and possibly exceeding the school’s authority. Ogala suggested that child protection agencies should investigate, highlighting a debate about consent, ethics, and safety. In her words:
“If I talk now, you will say I am attacking my former friend, Tonto. Of all the places to do a deliverance, she chose a school. She carried someone’s child to do an experiment and she set a camera. If someone does that to her son, would she like it? How can you go to a public school to carry a student without the parents’ consent?
I am calling on The Nigeria Police to look into this thing. Where is NAPTIP? Who are the people in charge of Children? Where were the teachers and principals? You performed that shenanigans you called deliverance with your long nails? Who authorised this?.”
Nollywood actor Damola Olatunji also reacted, questioning if his colleague, Tonto Dikeh, had permission of the student’s parents. He wrote:
“Do you have.the parents consent to do this?…let’s be guided. The girl is still a minor….hunmmmmm….ok oooo.”
While some praised Tonto for her spiritual outreach, the public conversation quickly split between those who saw the event as meaningful ministry and those who considered it potentially harmful.
Why Critics Say the Deliverance Could Be Dangerous
Netizens have pointed out several reasons why the deliverance session might pose risks:
1. Vulnerability of Children
Minors in schools are impressionable. Introducing concepts like demonic attacks or spirits could confuse or scare children who may not understand what’s happening.
2. Psychological Impact
Intense prayer sessions and claims of spiritual attack can cause fear or anxiety, especially if children internalize the experience as a real threat.
3. Consent and Authority
Concerns have been raised over whether students, teachers, or parents gave informed consent for the prayers or filming. Without permission, the act may cross ethical or legal boundaries.
4. Celebrity Influence and Social Media
Tonto’s wide reach amplifies pressure on children to participate. Viral videos can turn private spiritual acts into public spectacles, raising the risk of exploitation.
5. Public Perception
Even supporters agree that religious acts in schools must be balanced with children’s safety, or they risk blurring ethical lines and provoking public backlash.
Supporters See It Differently
Supporters argue that Tonto was acting out of faith. In a country where religion plays a central role in daily life, prayer sessions are common in schools and outreach programs. Many see her actions as spiritual guidance, not harm.
They point to her claim that over 100 students gave their lives to Christianity, suggesting the session had a positive impact. Even among supporters, however, the viral nature of the videos is seen as controversial, showing the tension between faith and public scrutiny.
Closing
Tonto Dikeh’s school deliverance session may have begun as an act of faith, but it has sparked a wider debate about ethics, influence, and child protection. With voices like Damola Olatunji and Doris Ogala questioning her actions, and supporters defending her intentions, the incident raises an enduring question: Where should the line be drawn between spiritual outreach and the safety of children?In an era where social media broadcasts personal acts instantly, the discussion is no longer just about one prayer session. It is about how society navigates faith, celebrity influence, and responsibility toward its most vulnerable.
