How TikToker Mirabel’s False Rape Claim Unravelled, Landed Her in Police Custody

Nigerians woke up on Monday, February 16, to a distressing video by a young TikToker, Abigail Nsuka, popularly known as Mirabel, claiming she had been raped in her apartment in the early hours of Sunday, February 15.

The video quickly went viral across social media platforms, garnering over seven million views and attracting widespread sympathy, including from popular artiste Simi, who joined thousands demanding justice for her.

Findings, however, revealed that Mirabel not only won sympathisers but also allegedly made substantial money from donations after sharing her bank account details until the bubble burst.

She is currently in the custody of the Ogun State Police Command.

The Rape Claim

In an emotional post, Mirabel, fighting back tears, claimed she was raped by an intruder around 9am on Sunday.

“I have insomnia. If I’m not drunk or high, I can’t sleep. So, on Saturday, I drank, and it wasn’t working. But I needed to be high enough so I could sleep,” she narrated.

She explained that she eventually slept around 6am but was woken by a knock on her door around 9am. Thinking it was a neighbour, she opened the door, only to be pushed back violently.

“I hit my head on the fridge when I was pushed back, and I passed out. When I opened my eyes, there was a man over me. There was a cloth tucked in my mouth, and I was tied,” she claimed.

She alleged that the attacker inserted a blade in her private parts, causing her to bleed, and later sent her text messages taunting her.

The graphic details sparked outrage, with advocacy groups and government agencies, including the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and the Ogun State Government, indicating readiness to ensure justice.

Donations Pour In

Social media influencer Martins Otse, aka Very Dark Man (VDM), claimed he transferred N100,000 to her account, initially intending to send N500,000 before her bank declined further deposits.

A friend of Mirabel, identified as Ifedolapo, confirmed that separate sums of N100,000, N200,000, and N300,000 were received into her account, while many other social media users said they sent varying amounts.

An influencer known as Immunizer alleged that Mirabel may have made between N1 million and N5 million from sympathisers.

The Unravelling

As the video trended, netizens began probing her claims. Immunizer and others analysed her narrative, pointing out similarities between her writing style and the messages she claimed the rapist sent.

One neighbour dismissed her claim of attempting suicide by drinking Sniper, saying no such incident occurred.

Amid growing backlash, YouTuber Vick TV alleged that the story was concocted to raise funds for rent renewal.

Dramatic Confession

As pressure mounted, Mirabel’s friends began distancing themselves. In a recorded audio conversation with VDM, Mirabel admitted to fabricating the story.

“I used to masturbate, and I’m a lesbian. I often self-harm when I have panic attacks. It might be a hallucination,” she said in the audio clip.

She confessed to creating a separate TikTok account to send herself messages to make it appear as though a rapist had contacted her.

The admission stunned supporters who had amplified her story and donated money, swiftly turning public sympathy into anger.

Several donors demanded refunds, expressing concern that false claims could undermine the credibility of genuine rape victims.

Outrage from Activists

Founder and Executive Director of Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, condemned Mirabel’s actions.

“What nonsense is this? Does she think rape is something to joke about, chase clout and make money from? Does she realise that her irresponsible action can negatively affect real victims?” she wrote on Facebook.

She demanded prosecution, describing the act as criminal.

The Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic Violence Response Team, Lola Adeniyi, warned that false claims and misinformation could erode public trust and make it harder for genuine survivors to be believed.

“Justice requires truth, evidence and due process,” the agency stated.

Legal Consequences

Mirabel may face trial for giving false information, an offence punishable under Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

Section 24 provides that anyone who knowingly sends false information via social media, email, or online platforms, causing annoyance, danger, insult, criminal intimidation, hatred, or needless anxiety, is liable to three years’ imprisonment, a N7 million fine, or both.

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong said Mirabel could also be charged with giving false information to the police if she had initially reported the matter.

“My position is that people who come out to make false accusations of rape should be severely punished. It is a matter the legislature should look at,” Effiong said.

Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Omenazu Jackson, described the TikToker’s actions as both a criminal offence and a social crime.

“It is punishable to give false information to the public. That is deception, and it is punishable under the law because such information can cause public outcry and disturbances,” Jackson said.

He urged prosecution to serve as a deterrent.

Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that Mirabel had been discharged from the hospital where she was admitted and was in police custody. He declined to comment on whether she would be prosecuted for raising a false alarm.

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