Pranking, a seemingly harmless form of entertainment, has become a ubiquitous part of the Nigerian popular culture. With the rise of social media, prank videos have become a staple of online entertainment, often garnering millions of views and likes.
However, beneath the laughter and entertainment lies a more menacing reality. Pranking in Nigeria has evolved from a harmless joke to a potentially fatal activity, with unintended consequences that have devastating effects on individuals and communities.
The rise of pranking in Nigeria
Pranking, as a form of entertainment, is not new to Nigeria, and with the advent of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, prank videos have become increasingly popular.
From harmless jokes to harmful by consequences
While pranking may seem like harmless fun, it can have serious consequences. In Nigeria, pranksters often take their jokes too far, causing emotional distress, physical harm, and even fatalities.
A Lagos-based comedian Eyinatayo Iluyomade, 19, faced arrest and legal action in 2022 for allegedly dropping a threatening robbery note at First Bank’s Sabo branch in Ondo town.
In 2023, a Magistrate’s Court at Iyaganku, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, remanded a skit-maker and prankster, Abdullahi Maruff Adisa, popularly known as Trinity Guy, in prison for allegedly sexualizing a minor in a viral skit video.
Barely a month after Trinity Guy was arrested, Chinenye Agbo, a young woman, was allegedly assaulted and humiliated by a group led by Enugu-based comedian MC Sharp (ChekwubeUgwuanyi Obed). The attack reportedly stemmed from accusations that Agbo had bitten MC Sharp’s girlfriend, Anastasia, prompting the group to subject her to physical abuse, forced disrobing, and a coerced haircut.
In another incident, a fresh graduate of the Department of Quantity Surveying, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ifunanya Miracle, lost her life during an attempt to escape a prankster’s robbery on the premises of the school in the Awka area of Anambra State in 2024.
In another incident, Mrs. Favour Igiebior video went viral for tearing her husband’s passport. This occurred on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos but caught the attention of the National Orientation Agency.
TheNewsGuru spoke to some Lagosians and how they feel about about the dangers these pranks pose to the society;
Mrs Adebimpe Ajayi in her words, “I feel these pranksters should be taught a lesson because the way they do their prank is very dangerous. What if the person has one illness and from there the person just die. If they use one as scape goat the rest will hear word”
“I don’t even like those kind of joke, it’s too expensive and at the detriment of one’s health. Yes we might find it funny but the dangerous ones should be stopped“, said one Mr Adeniji.
Mr Sotade said, “They are getting annoying, why go extra length to get fame by all means. The right authorities should stop them so people’s lives will not be in danger.”
“I thought those reactions were been staged oo not until I saw the news that it claimed a life of a fresh graduate. If I’m the girl’s parent, that boy that pranked my daughter will provide her back”, coming from a widow Mrs Adekunle.
The impact on mental health
Pranking can also have a significant impact on mental health. Victims of pranks can experience anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Nigeria, where mental health resources are scarce, the effects of pranking can be particularly devastating.
The part social media has played in pranking
Social media platforms have played a significant role in the rise of pranking in Nigeria. These platforms provide pranksters with a vast audience and a sense of anonymity, which has embolden some of them to take their jokes too far. Furthermore, social media algorithms often prioritize sensational and provocative content, which can create a culture of recklessness and disregard for consequences.
The call for eegularization
As pranking continues to evolve in Nigeria, it is essential to hold pranksters accountable for their actions. Social media platforms must take responsibility for regulating prank content and ensuring that it does not promote harm or violence. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have taken prank-related incidents seriously and are ready to prosecute offenders accordingly.
CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, gave a stern warning to comedians and skit makers who engage in pranks that their actions are putting Nigerian lives at risk. This warning was issued on June 17, 2023, emphasizing the need for pranksters to regulate their activities and avoid engaging in dangerous and unlawful behavior.
Adejobi specifically mentioned an incident where a skit maker used a dummy gun for a prank, highlighting the potential for misunderstandings with law enforcement officers. This warning is part of a broader effort to address concerns about the impact of pranking on public safety and well-being.
The PPRO therefore urged pranksters to exercise caution and responsibility in their content creation. He however emphasized that their intention is not to prohibit the practice of skit making or pranking entirely but rather to raise awareness about the potential dangers associated with these activities.
In light of these concerns, the police are advising pranksters to either regulate their pranks or stop controversial ones altogether. This call to action is meant to caution pranksters about the potential dangers of their actions, which may be unknown to them.
This has led to the growing call for collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies, social media platforms, content creators, and other stakeholders to establish and enforce comprehensive guidelines for prank content. While some acknowledge that young people are leveraging pranks to earn a living, many argue that the current approach is misguided and requires urgent attention to ensure safety and responsibility.
What is the way forward?
To address the issues surrounding dangerous pranks in Nigeria and to ensure safety of lives, here are some solutions:
Establish clear guidelines: Regulatory bodies, such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), should establish clear guidelines for prank content, outlining what is acceptable and what is not.
Monitor and enforce: Social media platforms and regulatory bodies should work together to monitor prank content and enforce guidelines, taking action against those who violate them.
Penalties for offenders: Pranksters who engage in dangerous or harmful pranks should face penalties, such as fines, community service, or even imprisonment.
Public awareness campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of pranking, the importance of consent, and the need for responsible behavior.