Controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, well known as Portable, has called on the government to ban pranksters and prank videos after a violent altercation at Port Harcourt International Airport on Sunday, October 5.
The incident, captured in a viral 53-second clip, showed the Zaazu crooner, dressed in beige, attempting to confront an unidentified individual amidst a crowd of onlookers and airport staff. Security personnel in blue uniforms intervened, restrained and escorted him to a waiting vehicle in the parking area.
According to the Zeh Nation head honcho, the altercation was a setup by “death pranksters” who stage extreme pranks involving fake deaths for online content. He claimed that the situation nearly escalated into a cult-related confrontation, stating, “Those people came to prank me. They were death pranksters. It almost turned to cultist level. 10 yellow no fit stand one blue.”
In a video response shared on his Instagram page on Monday, October 6, Portable called on the government to ban prank videos and sanction social media platforms that promote content capable of inciting violence or public disorder.
He expressed frustration that the incident damaged his public image, accusing some bloggers of spreading false narratives for online traffic. “Make government stop all those prankers and some fake bloggers make dem stop all this fake news post just because of small fame. Why una dey spoil person wey get glory name with una platforms,” the ‘I’m not a Prisoner’ hitmaker said in a mix of English and Yoruba.
Portable confirmed that he investigated the prankster’s TikTok page, finding multiple videos featuring similar stunts.
He warned that such pranks could have devastating consequences, saying, “I have gone to check the guy’s page on TikTok, he has about five or ten of those videos. They will come to your house and fake death, people will have cried for like four days before they wake up.”
The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with many debating the ethics of prank content and the need for stricter regulations. As the controversy unfolds, Portable’s call for a ban on prank videos may gain traction, highlighting the importance of balancing online fame with public safety and respect for individuals’ dignity.