Law enforcement authorities have released the prankster known as Zfancy, issuing a stern warning against engaging in potentially hazardous pranks.

Popular skit creator, Zion Ubani, professionally known as Zfancy, has been discharged from the custody of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) after being held for a week.

Zfancy was apprehended by the NPF’s national cybercrime center in Abuja on July 4 for creating prank videos that falsely accused him of serious offenses, such as rape.

On Wednesday, the police announced that Zfancy had been released on bail to the executives of the Practitioners of Content Creation, Skit-Making and Influencers Guild of Nigeria (PCCSIGN).

The presidential special assistant on ICT development and digital innovation, Tokoni Peter Igoin, led the delegation to the force headquarters.

In the statement made by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, the skit creator was also advised “to avoid pranks that could cause public unrest”.

“The videos were later found to be scripted. He has been warned to avoid pranks that could cause public unrest,” the statement reads.

“While encouraging positive creativity amongst the youthful populace, the NPF urges content creators to responsibly use social media and avoid spreading misinformation that may incite public disorder.”

In the previous month, a video went viral on X platform showing a prankster allegedly conducting rituals on a woman. The video quickly gained traction, causing widespread alarm. Subsequently, law enforcement became involved, leading to the apprehension of Zfancy. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the video was staged as a prank.

It is not uncommon for Nigerian content creators to find themselves in police custody due to their skits. In 2023, Abdullahi Adisa, also known as Trinity Guy, was detained by the police in Oyo and placed in Agodi prisons, Ibadan, on accusations of sexualizing a minor in his content.