Pranksters are currently trying to dominate the skit mating space in Nigeria.

A prank is defined as a mischievous act or a practical joke played on someone, generally causing the victim to experience embarrassment, perplexity, confusion, or discomfort.

It has become a common feature in the Nigerian skit-making space today.

For instance, the prank videos by MC Makopolo, Machigold, Zfancy, Alice Marve, and others abound.

However, no matter how funny these prank videos look, there seems to be an imminent danger. The puzzle is: would Nigerians forfeit the possible dangers of loud laughter?

DAILY POST went round the streets to seek answers.

One student, Stephanie David, said: “Some of these pranks are obnoxious and extremely outplayed." Most of these pranks are played regardless of the possible danger to the lives of those who are pranked. I once saw a video of a woman who almost got burned out of fear because a prankster blew a loud pipe while she was cooking. This is a typical example of a prank gone wrong.

On his part, Dapo Ibiowotisi said, “Actually, I’m someone who never for once liked pranks; they used to endanger lives." I could remember two months ago when my colleague went to prank someone; but for God’s intervention, it would have ended in a loss of life. Pranksters have to add what I will call "visibility" and "total health insurance" to whoever they want to prank.

Also, Temitope Babalola said, “As much as the prank makers are creating content for financial purposes, there is a need for them to exercise restraint in the way they go about it."

“When you look at the way they do it, it looks scary and dangerous, and this should not be condoned in society." "I want the relevant authorities to do the needful by coming out to caution the prank makers and going further to set a standard for them.”

Poloum David: “Some pranks scare and endanger people’s lives; it’s wrong on all levels, please; people are already going through a lot, and pranksters should honestly not worsen it." The truth is, sometimes pranking can be sweet and interesting. But most times, it’s scary. "For people with high blood pressure or certain health issues, certain levels of pranks and surprises are a no-no.”

To get a legal perspective on the matter, the Daily Post spoke with a legal practitioner, Dr. Sam Amadi, who said the extreme level of pranks is a result of a growing trend of people desiring to consume entertainment to the extreme, adding that the addiction to extreme entertainment has fueled the industry of skit-making even to the point of creating real threats to other humans.

While explaining that there are offenses for public disorder, he noted that police can get content creators arrested and prosecuted even when there’s no real damage or loss of life.

“So they can be prosecuted for criminal negligence, criminal assault, and threats to life." The fact that you are pulling a prank or just trying to play is not an excuse if your actions are extremely careless and negligent.

“Whether you are making a skit or not, it doesn’t matter." "What matters is that if your actions constitute a threat or result in injury, you can be charged for it,” he stated.