Students, management fume over ‘bandits prank’ filmed at Lagos varsity

The Lagos State University community has reacted angrily to a viral prank video in which a group of young men dressed in costumes resembling extremist fighters stormed the campus, causing panic among students.

The footage, uploaded on December 5 by Datreez Entertainment TV and titled “Bandits Prank on Lasuites”, showed individuals wearing turbans and desert-style clothing associated with terrorist groups.

A behind-the-scenes clip captured them dressing up before jumping into a vehicle and driving chaotically into a crowd of students while a camera operator recorded reactions.

Students were seen fleeing and expressing fear, coming at a period when school attacks in parts of Niger and Kebbi States have heightened public anxiety.

Checks on Thursday showed that the controversial video had been removed from the creator’s page, which has over 3,400 followers and 164,000 likes, although it is still on a creator’s page who claims to be part of the group.

In its place, an apology was published in a formal statement on Sunday, Datreez Entertainment International said the entire production 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 group added that “no member of the public was placed in danger, harmed, or subjected to distress,” and it also apologised for its insensitivity, noting 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 triggered backlash among student content creators, many of whom said it had led to tightened restrictions on campus.

On Tuesday, a popular student creator, Anuoluwapo, criticised the act in a video shared on TikTok.

“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.”

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Other TikTok creators who study at LASU, including Tush Agbero and Temmytayo GP, also posted videos lamenting what they described as stricter monitoring of students on campus.

In a statement issued on Sunday, LASU dissociated itself from the recording and described it as 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 remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to its security unit.

LASU, known for its vibrant community of young content creators, has in recent years become a hub for online student-led productions.

The prank has now fuelled conversations about the boundaries of creativity and safety on campus.

Recall the University of Lagos Akoka, in October had prohibited the unauthorised use of its campus, including hostels and other facilities, for video production by skitmakers, filmmakers, and content creators.

According to the management, they aim to protect the academic environment and preserve the institution’s image from misrepresentation in unregulated productions.