The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to investigate popular TikToker Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, following a road crash that occurred while he was engaged in a live social media stream while driving.
On Sunday, December 15, Peller threatened to take his life over a relationship crisis with his girlfriend, Jarvis.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep concern over a growing trend of celebrities and influencers disregarding traffic laws for online attention. In a statement signed by FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed characterized Peller’s actions as both dangerous and unlawful, noting that they could have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.
“Live streaming, content creation, or any activity that distracts a driver while on the road is a direct violation of traffic regulations and endangers all road users,” the statement read.
Following the incident, Mohammed directed the Lagos State Sector Commander to initiate all necessary procedures for prosecuting Peller for offenses such as reckless driving, distracted driving, and the use of a mobile phone while driving.
The FRSC chief also urged actors’ guilds, entertainment associations, and influencer networks to educate their members about responsible conduct. He emphasized that celebrities have considerable influence, especially among young Nigerians, and must act as ambassadors for road safety instead of symbols of recklessness.
Mohammed warned that the FRSC would not hesitate to enforce the full weight of the law against anyone found engaging in unsafe driving practices, stressing that no social media trend or desire for online fame is worth risking human lives.
He further encouraged all road users to remember that public roads are shared spaces governed by laws designed to protect lives. He urged Nigerians to report dangerous driving behaviors to support collective road safety efforts.