iDeemlawfulThe Lagos State University community has expressed outrage over a viral prank video in which several young men, dressed in outfits resembling extremist fighters, entered the campus and caused alarm among students.
The clip, posted on December 5 by Datreez Entertainment TV and titled “Bandits Prank on Lasuites”, featured individuals wearing turbans and desert-themed attire often linked to terrorist groups.
A behind-the-scenes video showed them preparing their costumes before jumping into a vehicle and driving recklessly toward students while a cameraman captured their reactions.
Students were seen running and visibly frightened, occurring at a time when attacks on schools in parts of Niger and Kebbi States have raised national concern.
Checks by PUNCH Online on Thursday showed that the contentious video had been deleted from the creator’s page, which has over 3,400 followers and 164,000 likes, though it remains available on another page belonging to someone who claims to be part of the team.
In its place, the group issued an apology in a formal statement on Sunday, with Datreez Entertainment International explaining that the entire scene was staged.
According to the statement, “The content was strictly a social experiment created purely for entertainment purposes.
“Every scene, action, and reaction captured in the video was fully staged, involving participants who were aware of the concept and voluntarily part of the production.”
The creators added that “no member of the public was placed in danger, harmed, or subjected to distress,” and apologised for the insensitivity, acknowledging that “Nigeria is currently dealing with sensitive security challenges”.
It stated, “We sincerely regret any anxiety, fear, or discomfort the video may have triggered. This was never our intention.
“We tender our unreserved apology to the Management of Lagos State University.”
The prank has drawn criticism from student content creators, many of whom said it had resulted in stricter controls on campus.
On Tuesday, a well-known student creator, Anuoluwapo, condemned the act in a TikTok video.
“This thing does not make sense. When I saw the video, I could not even continue watching it.
“For days now, security officers have been seizing students’ phones and tripods. You cannot even create content freely again on campus. See what this has caused.”
He added, “The school supports content creators, but this prank has taken us backwards. Normally, adults do not like content creation, but we the Gen Zs have been trying to make them see its importance. These people have spoiled things.”
Other TikTok creators studying at LASU, including Tush Agbero and Temmytayo GP, also shared videos lamenting what they described as heightened monitoring of students on campus.
PUNCH Online, however, could not independently verify whether new enforcement measures have been officially introduced.
In a statement released on Sunday, LASU distanced itself from the video and called it unauthorised and unacceptable.
“The University did not give any form of approval, authorisation, or endorsement for the recording of the said video,” the statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Centre for Information and Public Relations, Mrs Thomas-Onashile Oluwayemisi, read.
It added, “LASU strongly condemns acts or content that portray or suggest banditry, terrorism, or violent extremism.
“The University does not support or encourage any prank that can incite fear, disrupt campus peace, or threaten the sense of safety of its students and staff.”
The institution urged students to stay alert and report unusual behaviour to its security unit.
LASU, known for its active community of student creators, has become a centre for online productions in recent years.
The incident has now rekindled debate over the limits of creativity and safety within the campus.
Recall the University of Lagos Akoka, in October, banned the unauthorised use of its campus, including hostels and other facilities, for video production by skitmakers, filmmakers, and content creators.
According to the management, the decision was intended to safeguard the academic environment and protect the institution’s image from distortions in unregulated content.
