The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the release of popular skit maker and prankster Zion Ubani, widely known as Zfancy.

Zfancy was arrested by the NPF’s National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja on July 4 over prank videos that falsely accused him of serious crimes, including rape.

In an update on Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi announced that Zfancy was granted bail with a stern warning “to avoid pranks that could cause public unrest.”

Adejobi stated that Zfancy was released to the executives of the Practitioners of Content Creation, Skit-Making, and Influencers Guild of Nigeria (PCCSIGN). The delegation, led by Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, Tokoni Peter Igoin, facilitated his release.

“While encouraging positive creativity among the youthful populace, the NPF urges content creators to responsibly use social media and avoid spreading misinformation that may incite public disorder,” Adejobi said. He further clarified that the controversial videos were ultimately found to be scripted.

The arrest and subsequent release of Zfancy followed the circulation of a video last month, where he was accused of performing rituals on a lady. The footage, which spread rapidly on social media, caused public panic and drew the attention of the police, leading to Zfancy’s arrest. It was later discovered that the video was a prank.

This incident is not isolated. In 2023, another Nigerian prankster, Abdullahi Adisa, known as Trinity Guy, was remanded in Agodi prisons, Ibadan, by the Oyo police over allegations of sexualizing a minor in his skits.

The NPF’s caution to Zfancy underscores the importance of responsible content creation, emphasizing the need to avoid pranks that could cause public unrest and spread misinformation.