Nigerian social media personality VeryDarkMan has publicly criticized actress and philanthropist Tonto Dikeh following a viral video showing the actress leading a deliverance session during a school outreach.

The controversy began after Dikeh shared several clips on her Instagram page on Friday, March 6, 2026. In the videos, she documented what she described as a spiritual encounter during an evangelism visit to a school.

According to the actress, she and her team had concluded their outreach and were preparing to leave when she sensed what she described as a “spirit of death” around the environment. She said she immediately alerted members of her team, prompting them to begin prayers.

The situation reportedly escalated into a deliverance session involving some of the students present, which was captured in the videos she posted online.

Reacting to the clips, VeryDarkMan condemned the incident and urged the actress to avoid involving children in what he described as dramatic spiritual displays for social media.

He also warned Dikeh against returning to the school, claiming the institution is located within his community. In his response, the influencer stressed that children should not be exposed to such content online.

VeryDarkMan further stated that instead of staging public deliverance sessions, more practical support should be offered to the students. He noted that he had personally contributed to the development of the school by renovating parts of the facility to encourage learning.

“With all due respect to Tonto Dikeh… this is a warning, do not come to my area to do this again… leave my area kids alone,” he wrote in an Instagram caption, adding that children should be raised with a focus on practical life orientation rather than fear-based beliefs.

Opinion: A Clash Between Faith Expression and Public Responsibility

The controversy highlights a sensitive intersection between religious expression, social media influence, and child welfare.

Nigeria is a deeply religious society where evangelism and prayers in public spaces are common. However, involving schoolchildren in intense spiritual activities—especially when filmed and shared online—raises questions about consent, environment, and the psychological impact on young minds.

VeryDarkMan’s criticism may resonate with those who believe children should be protected from dramatic religious narratives that suggest supernatural causes for life challenges. On the other hand, supporters of Tonto Dikeh might argue that she was simply expressing her faith and attempting to pray for the well-being of the students.

Ultimately, the debate points to a broader issue in the social media era: public figures must carefully balance personal beliefs, community sensitivities, and the responsibility that comes with influencing young audiences.