Nigerian singer Simi has come under heavy criticism online following a TikToker’s admission that her widely shared rape allegation was false.

The controversy began on February 18 when a TikTok video circulated showing a young woman, identified as Mirabel, claiming she had been raped and injured with a blade in her home. The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage, emotional reactions, and widespread debate across social media.

While many Nigerians initially believed her story and condemned the alleged crime, others expressed skepticism, pointing to inconsistencies in the video and accusing Mirabel of seeking attention. The public opinion was sharply divided.

During the controversy, Simi took to X to speak out against rape culture. She urged men to hold each other accountable and questioned why some people felt upset when rapists were called out. However, her comments drew backlash from critics who accused her of overlooking the issue of false allegations.

The criticism intensified when an old tweet from 2016 resurfaced and was misinterpreted as sexual innuendo. Fake apology screenshots mocking the singer also circulated online, and some social media users nicknamed her “Ikorodu Celine Dion.”

In a statement, Simi stressed that sexual violence against women remains widespread and that false claims should not be used to silence genuine victims.

“Almost every woman I know personally has been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives,” she wrote. “You can’t think it’s okay to shut people up from speaking up about assault because some people lie.”

She added that while those who lie should face consequences, her focus was on addressing the broader issue of sexual violence. “Women are terrified to go out. Women in their homes are not safe either. STOP RAPING WOMEN!!” she said.

The story took another turn when social media activist VeryDarkMan revealed he had spoken with Mirabel over the phone. According to him, Mirabel admitted that the rape allegation was false and confessed to creating the fake TikTok account that had been messaging her.

He also shared that Mirabel, an 18-year-old orphan, is a lesbian struggling with alcohol and codeine addiction, and has engaged in self-harm. VeryDarkMan appealed to Nigerians to show understanding and avoid harsh judgment, emphasizing the importance of mental health support. Arrangements are reportedly underway to have Mirabel admitted to a rehabilitation center.

Authorities have since transferred the case to Ogun State for further investigation.

The incident has reignited discussions online about sexual violence, false allegations, accountability, and the mental health issues that can underlie viral social media cases.