"I’ll Make a Scapegoat Out of You" – Dayo Amusa Slams TikToker Over HIV Allegation

Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa has fired back furiously after a TikTok user falsely accused her of being among Nigerian celebrities allegedly living with HIV. The veteran Yoruba movie star did not mince words in her response, warning the social media user that she would go to great lengths to make an example out of him for spreading malicious lies. The video, which went viral on social media in the past 48 hours, has stirred a flurry of reactions from fans, celebrities, and legal experts as it raises growing concerns about defamation and cyberbullying in Nigeria’s digital space.

The TikToker, whose username is being withheld for legal reasons, uploaded a video compiling names of celebrities he claimed were HIV positive. Dayo Amusa’s name appeared prominently on the list alongside other known faces in Nollywood and the music industry. The baseless and unverified claim sparked an immediate backlash, but none more fiery than from Amusa herself, who wasted no time in addressing the slander publicly.

Taking to her verified Instagram page, Amusa expressed outrage, disbelief, and determination. “Are you mad? You think you can wake up and mention my name like that and go scot-free?” she began in her video post, visibly upset. “I will make a scapegoat out of you. I will fish you out. I will make sure you regret this nonsense you posted. You think this is content? You think this is a joke? My health status is not your business, but for the record, I am HIV negative.”

Amusa, a respected actress and filmmaker with decades in the entertainment industry, stressed the dangers of defamation and how damaging such rumors can be — not just to a person’s reputation but also to their mental health and career. She noted that while many people might ignore such gossip, she would not stand by and allow her name to be tarnished. “This is not the time to stay silent. We’ve normalized rubbish in this country for too long. You can’t just open your rotten mouth and spread diseases of lies about people.”

Her message was clear: enough is enough.

The controversy has quickly drawn the attention of other celebrities and public figures who rallied in support of Amusa, calling for accountability in digital spaces. Actress Kemi Afolabi, who herself revealed she was living with lupus, condemned the TikToker for his insensitivity and lack of conscience. “Health is not a joke. Whether HIV, lupus, or cancer, these are private and sensitive topics. To lie on someone publicly for views is despicable,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Social media, especially platforms like TikTok, has become a breeding ground for unverified information, gossip, and harmful narratives, often targeted at public figures. Experts say the rise in such defamatory content reflects a lack of regulation and a culture of impunity that emboldens faceless accounts to spread falsehoods without consequences. However, Dayo Amusa’s case might be about to shift that culture.

Her legal team has reportedly been activated, with sources close to the actress confirming that preliminary steps are being taken to file charges for libel and online harassment. If successful, this could become a landmark case in Nigerian entertainment law, potentially ushering in a more aggressive crackdown on cyberbullying and digital defamation.

In an era where virality often trumps veracity, many celebrities have found themselves at the receiving end of damaging accusations, and only a few have fought back through legal means. Dayo Amusa, it seems, is determined not only to clear her name but to set a precedent. “If I don’t do something now, the next person might be worse off. You don’t know what people are dealing with, and then you come and drag them into your madness. I refuse to be your victim,” she added in another Instagram story.

Public reactions have been mixed. While the majority have applauded her for speaking out and standing her ground, others have criticized the culture of oversharing on social media that gives room for such narratives to flourish. Some fans encouraged the actress to sue not just the original poster but the platform itself for enabling the spread of fake news. One user commented, “We support you, Dayo. Take them to court and make them an example. This nonsense has to stop.”

Interestingly, the TikToker has since taken down the video after backlash intensified, but the damage may have already been done. Digital footprints remain, and clips from the original post are still circulating across other platforms. As of now, the individual has not publicly responded to Amusa’s accusations or threats of legal action, but many speculate that a major lawsuit is looming.

This latest incident adds to the growing conversation about digital responsibility and the urgent need for content creators to understand the weight of their words. In a digital world where reputations can be ruined in seconds, more public figures are beginning to draw the line.

For Dayo Amusa, this is more than just a personal fight — it’s a war against defamation in an age where clout chasing has become a menace. Her final words in the Instagram video summed up the rage and resolve of someone who has had enough of false accusations: “You’re not going to use me to trend. I’ll find you, and when I do, the whole of Nigeria will know what it means to defame someone without evidence.”

As her fans await the next move, one thing is clear — Dayo Amusa is not backing down, and the ripple effect of this callout may mark a turning point in how celebrities deal with false online narratives. Whether the TikToker ends up being prosecuted or not, the message has already landed like a thunderclap across Nigeria’s social media landscape: freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.