The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will be prosecuting popular TikTok streamer, Mr. Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, over alleged reckless and distracted driving after he crashed his SUV Mercedes Benz in an apparent suicide attempt on Sunday.
Peller made the viral video that saw him crashing the car in a live streaming, after his fellow TikToker lover Jarvis allegedly broke up with him.
According to the FRSC, in a statement issued on Monday by the Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps Marshal expressed deep concern over what he described as a growing trend of reckless road use by celebrities, social media influencers and content creators who, in the pursuit of online attention, flouted traffic regulations and endanger lives.
He stressed that live streaming, recording, or engaging in any form of content creation while driving constituted a clear violation of traffic laws and poses serious risks to both drivers and other road users.
The Corps Marshal consequently directed the Lagos State Sector Commander to immediately commence prosecution of the individual involved for reckless driving, use of a phone while driving, and distracted driving, in line with extant traffic laws.
“This incident, which could have resulted in loss of lives, serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads,” the statement read.
The FRSC boss further warned that public roads are not studios or stages, adding that such actions undermine national efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities.
He also called on actors’ guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities to urgently call their members to order and promote responsible conduct on Nigerian roads.
“Celebrities and influencers wield enormous influence, especially among young Nigerians, and must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness,” he said.
The Corps Marshal warned that the FRSC would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against any individual found engaging in reckless or distracted driving, regardless of status.
“No social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life,” the statement added.
