Nigerian Skit Industry Faces Backlash as Calls for Arrest of Pranksters Grow

The skit-making industry in Nigeria has experienced significant growth in recent years, emerging as a major source of entertainment for Nigerians. Access to engaging and entertaining content has become easier than ever, requiring nothing more than a smartphone and a small amount of internet data. However, amidst the industry’s success, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of prank videos and the excesses of certain skit makers.

The skit industry, which gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, has gradually overshadowed traditional stand-up comedy shows that once dominated the entertainment scene. Nevertheless, in recent times, the industry has faced growing criticism, with its follower base declining unless proactive measures are taken.

One particular concern centers around pranksters, who create videos based on the reactions of unsuspecting members of the public to jokes or real-life situations. Often, individuals are unaware that they are being pranked until the prankster reveals the presence of a recording camera or a sound device. In some extreme cases, these pranksters engage in dangerous and potentially life-threatening pranks.

Nigeria proudly boasts some of the most renowned pranksters worldwide. However, their rise to fame has been built upon exploiting the gullibility of the very people whose emotional and psychological well-being they manipulate.

Recently, the Nigerian Police Force raised the alarm regarding the actions of a particular prankster known as Trinity Guy. On Monday, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Police Force, demanded the arrest of Trinity Guy. This call for action came after previous requests to skit creators to moderate their pranks due to potential harm to Nigerian lives were disregarded.

CSP Adejobi took to his Instagram page and shared an extreme prank video created by Trinity Guy, urging anyone who had been harmed by the skit creator’s pranks to report them to the police. Expressing his concerns, CSP Adejobi stated, “This doesn’t make any sense. I think the guy should have been arrested. Those individuals who feel the heat and fear of the pranks should be reporting the pranksters, as many of their pranks are criminal, immoral, and evil.”

The call for Trinity Guy’s arrest quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting our reporter to investigate further. While attending the convocation ceremony at the main campus of Lagos State University, Ojo, our reporter spoke with some students to gather their thoughts on pranksters and the demand for their arrests.

Bola, a third-year art student, shared a terrifying experience she had with a prankster. While buying a soft drink in her neighborhood, a boy suddenly handed her a threatening note. The message accused her of accepting money from him online but failing to meet up. The note further warned that he was coming to get her, and at that moment, a car sped toward her. Two men wielding cutlasses stepped out, shouting, “Return our guy money!” Completely bewildered, Bola fell to her knees, pleading her innocence. Only when the other person in the car shouted, “It’s just a prank!” did she realize the ordeal was fabricated. Overwhelmed with shock, Bola expressed her gratitude to God, saying, “If not for God, I could have harmed someone that day.”

Toun, who had been listening nearby while conversing with a male friend, couldn’t resist sharing her own bitter encounter with a prankster. She recounted an incident where a lady beside her suddenly collapsed, seemingly in need of an inhaler. Believing the person was having an asthma attack, Toun hurried to the nearest pharmacy