A ritual video prank by famous Nigerian prankster Ubani Zion, known as Zfancy, initially meant to generate controversy, increase buzz on social media and mark his return to the industry after a hiatus, has landed him in hot water.
Known for his risqué and often spontaneous pranks, Zfancy had been absent from the scene for over a year for unknown reasons. To stage his comeback, he devised a plot that included a video in which a woman accused him of performing rituals, followed by a rebuttal a few days later.
To ensure this goal, the video was shared organically and posted on targeted blogs, increasing its visibility and impact on the Internet. As expected, the video went viral.
However, the stunt did not entirely convince netizens. Many viewers realized the hype of the publicity stunt, prompting social media critics and influencers like VeryDarkman on X to call for further investigations.
Despite the effort, the prank failed almost three weeks later. After several videos surfaced on the internet accusing him of engaging in ritualistic and rape activities, the National Cyber Crime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) arrested Zfancy on Thursday.
Nigerian police enter
The controversy began on June 12, 2024, when artist Dami Adenuga shared a video on his X page (formerly Twitter) where a woman named Kokina accused Zfancy of ritualism.
Kokina, a friend of the alleged victim, claimed that while searching for her missing friend, she discovered evidence implicating Zfancy. Adenuga’s post, “This Zfancy thing seems very real. Nigerian police should intervene at this point,” quickly went viral and sparked widespread panic.
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The Nigerian Police on X responded quickly to Adenuga’s post and advised Kokina to immediately report to the nearest police station.
On Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, updated the public and revealed that Zfancy had been arrested at an apartment in Wuye, Abuja.
He said: “This arrest follows the circulation of accusatory videos on social media, in which Zfancy is accused of committing heinous crimes, including rape. These videos caused great apprehension among social media users.”
Despite Zfancy’s later clarification on his YouTube channel that the video was a joke, public concerns remained unabated.
Zfancy explained that the videos were scripted and part of his attempt to regain attention after nearly a year-long break from making prank content.
However, the Nigerian Police stressed the seriousness of the situation and its commitment to public safety.
Ritual prank video
In the viral video, a lady named Ariya Seyken, who acted as Bella in the video, accused prankster Zfancy of trying to perform a ritual on her.
In the video, she is seen in her underwear and with a bandage, being pushed out of a car. Community members gathered around her, showing compassion and demanding justice after hearing her story.
In a second viral video, Seyken, wearing a blue blouse and black trousers, said: “Zfancy is trying to use her influence to seal the matter and close the case. I thank God that I am alive to tell my own story, otherwise I would have been a victim of a ritual.”
She also claimed that Zfancy tried to “force herself sexually” on her, pleading: “Nigerians, please come to my aid; I have no one to fight for me.” Seyken revealed that she was paid 100,000 naira for the skit, but that she “fell victimized.”
Adding to the controversy, Zfancy had recently shown off her brand new N130 million Mercedes Benz and a newly acquired house on social media.
These publications further fueled speculation about his sudden wealth and alleged “ritualistic activities.”
In another video, Seyken’s mother is seen lamenting her daughter’s plight and crying inconsolably for “mercy.”
However, the full upload of the prank video by Zfancy revealed rehearsed wailing and simulated tears using a substance (Aboniki) to induce crying.
A live session with influencers Sidney Talker and Lord-Lamba further worsened the situation. Zfancy hit back at them after they asked for clarification on whether she actually engaged in ritual acts, leading to more accusations.
Controversial activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) slammed the prankster, calling the joke insensitive.
“There are some things that should not be used as a joke. If you know how many young girls live with the trauma of a forced entry, you will not take it as a joke. Many girls have been taken advantage of by their superiors and when they speak up, people silence them,” VDM fumed.
“The same girl claimed that you wanted to use her for a ritual. Do you know how many people have lost their lives due to rituals? There are families who have lost their loved ones due to organ trafficking and rituals. Is this something to joke about?”
Security Treatment
Zfancy’s arrest for a costly prank is not an isolated case. In 2023, PREMIUM TIMES reported how police arrested prankster Abdullahi Adisa, known as Trinity Guy, and remanded him in Agodi Prisons, Ibadan, over allegations of sexualizing a minor in one of his viral skits.
Similarly, in 2022, Lagos-based comedian Eyinatayo Iluyomade, 19, was jailed over a prank note threatening robbery at First Bank Sabo branch in Ondo town.
The police spokesman described the prank, allegedly an “attempted ritual” against the young woman, as a “security threat.”
“These videos caused great apprehension among social media users.
However, these actions have serious consequences and cannot be taken lightly,” Adejobi said.
The NPF affirmed its commitment to maintaining public safety and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for actions that incite fear or disturb the public peace.
Police have therefore warned pranksters and content creators to be “law-abiding” and “mindful of pranks and content that pose threats to the public and endanger the overall security of our country.”
Mr Adejobi also noted that similar actions that “threaten public safety” will have “strict legal consequences”.
He also urged the public to remain calm while the necessary legal action is taken in this case.