The Critical Thinking Education Initiative has called for an independent investigation into the viral “deliverance” incident involving Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh and a minor at Junior Secondary School, Durumi II, in the Federal Capital Territory, urging authorities to take urgent steps to safeguard the rights and welfare of the child involved.
The call was contained in a report issued by Genesis Eririoma, chairman of the organisation, following an undercover visit to the school to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess the response of school authorities after the video circulated widely on social media.
The now-viral footage showed the actress publicly praying for and allegedly performing an exorcism-like “deliverance” on a student during a religious outreach linked to the school environment, sparking public debate about child protection and the propriety of such practices involving minors.
According to the report, the visit to the school was conducted on March 11, 2026, to determine whether the incident occurred within the school premises and to understand how school officials handled concerns over the treatment and public exposure of the child.
During the visit, the school principal reportedly denied that the incident took place inside the school compound, insisting that it occurred outside the premises.
However, the report noted that this claim appears inconsistent with widely circulated photos and video footage which suggest the event happened within the school environment.
“The principal’s response appeared aimed at distancing the school from responsibility and shielding the institution from blame, rather than addressing the welfare and rights of the minor involved,” the group said.
The report also alleged that the principal partly blamed parents for the situation, accusing them of failing to properly raise their children. According to the report, the principal said parents were “not raising their children properly,” alleging that they neglect their children’s welfare and fail to provide adequate care and attention.
While acknowledging that parental neglect is a serious societal issue, the organisation argued that such concerns cannot justify actions that may expose a child to humiliation, stigmatization or psychological harm.
The principal was also said to have defended Dikeh’s actions, noting that the actress had prayed for students, distributed free Bibles and allegedly assisted the child’s family following an accident involving the child and her mother.
However, the report maintained that charitable acts do not address the central concern, stressing that philanthropy cannot serve as justification for exposing a child to what it described as an exorcism-like public spectacle.
“Giving gifts, offering prayers, or providing assistance to a family does not justify subjecting a child to an exorcism-like public spectacle or posting such a moment on social media where the child may face stigma, shame, or long-term emotional harm,” the group said.
Another issue highlighted in the report was an alleged claim attributed to the school leadership suggesting that some children are “witches” and that some students use food to “initiate” others. The organisation described the claim as deeply troubling, warning that beliefs portraying children as witches have historically contributed to abuse, trauma and social exclusion.
According to the report, when such narratives are endorsed by school authorities, children can become vulnerable to fear, suspicion and scapegoating, creating an environment that may expose them to further psychological harm.
The report also quoted the principal as criticizing both parents and the government over inadequate resources and staffing at the school. According to the account, the principal said the school, in collaboration with the Parent-Teacher Association, had to employ about eight teachers because government authorities had not provided sufficient teaching personnel.
While acknowledging that underfunding and institutional neglect remain serious challenges in many public schools, the organisation stressed that resource constraints cannot justify harmful practices or the stigmatization of children.
In light of its findings, the Critical Thinking Education Initiative called on the FCT Secondary Education Board and other relevant child protection agencies to launch an independent investigation to determine the facts surrounding the incident and assess whether the rights of the child involved were violated.
It also recommended a comprehensive safeguarding review at the school, alongside mandatory child rights and child protection training for school leaders and staff to strengthen institutional awareness and ensure educators are better equipped to protect students.
The organisation further urged authorities to introduce a clear prohibition of religious exorcism or “deliverance” practices involving minors in school settings, warning that such practices, particularly when conducted publicly or recorded for social media, can expose children to stigma, shame and lasting psychological harm.
Additionally, the report called for measures to ensure the protection, privacy and psychosocial support of the child involved, noting that the widespread circulation of the video could have long-term emotional consequences.
The organisation concluded that the incident highlights broader concerns about the normalization of child-targeted spiritual practices and underscores the need for stronger safeguards to ensure schools remain environments where the dignity, rights and well-being of children are protected.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that a lawyer, Ikechukwu Obasi, had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against Tonto Dikeh, accusing her of violating the rights of a female school child during what is described as a “vicious religious deliverance ritual.”
The suit, filed pursuant to the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, seeks several declarations and orders against Dikeh, including ₦200 million in damages for alleged violations of the child’s rights to dignity and privacy.
