The Lagos State University (LASU) campus has exploded into chaos after a viral “prank” video staged a fake terrorist attack, sending shockwaves through the student body and igniting a firestorm of criticism. The video, created by a group known as Datreez Entertainment TV, depicted masked men dressed as extremists terrorizing students,an act many are calling a blatant disregard for public safety and decency.
Clad in turbans and desert outfits typically associated with terrorist organizations, the pranksters filmed themselves as they sped into crowds of unsuspecting students, cameras rolling to capture the manufactured panic. Students ran for their lives, some reportedly traumatized by the ordeal. The fact that all this happened in broad daylight on a busy campus raises serious questions about how such a stunt was even possible.
The timing could hardly be worse. With Nigeria still reeling from real-life attacks on schools and heightened national tension, the group’s insensitive stunt smacks of ignorance or, worse, a thirst for social media attention at any cost. Outraged viewers wasted no time in condemning Datreez Entertainment TV for their “experiment,” which seemed to show no regard for the realities faced by Nigerians.
After intense backlash, the group deleted the video and issued a rushed apology, claiming the whole thing was “staged” and that everyone involved was in on the joke. They insisted that no one was in danger and “regretted any anxiety” caused. But for many on campus, this is too little, too late. Students are furious,not just at the pranksters, but at the clampdown that has followed.
Student content creators are now facing new restrictions. Some report that security officials are confiscating phones and equipment, making it nearly impossible to produce any kind of creative content on campus. Influencers like Anuoluwapo and Tush Agbero have taken to social media to lament the loss of their creative freedom, blaming Datreez for ruining things for everyone. “See what this has caused,” one creator fumed, pointing to a campus now under heightened surveillance.
The university administration is not mincing words. In an official statement, LASU’s management condemned the video as “unacceptable” and made it clear they had nothing to do with it. The administration warned students against any acts that could be mistaken for terrorism or violence, urging vigilance and support for campus security measures.
LASU has long been a hotspot for Nigeria’s up-and-coming content creators, but this incident has cast a shadow over the entire community. Creators now face suspicion and increased monitoring, while debates rage about whether students can be trusted with creative freedom at all.
This isn’t just a LASU problem. Universities like UNILAG have already banned unauthorized filming, citing the need to protect their reputations from reckless skitmakers. With this latest incident, calls are growing louder for tighter regulations and stricter guidelines for student creators across the country.
As the scandal simmers, one thing is clear: the line between creativity and chaos has never been thinner. Content creators are under the microscope, and the entire LASU community is left picking up the pieces from a prank gone wildly out of control.
