The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has ordered the prosecution of popular TikTok streamer Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, following a viral video showing him livestreaming while driving, an act that culminated in a road crash.
Reacting to the footage, Mohammed expressed deep concern over what he described as a “growing trend of reckless road use by some celebrities, content creators, and social media influencers who, in the quest for online attention, deliberately flout traffic regulations and endanger lives.”
This was contained in a statement signed on Monday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide.
The statement followed the widespread circulation of a video in which the streamer was seen driving while visibly distressed and engaging in a live broadcast. The incident reportedly resulted in a crash that deployed the vehicle’s airbag and attracted the intervention of bystanders.
According to the FRSC, the act constitutes a clear violation of traffic regulations and poses a grave risk to other road users.
Consequently, the Corps Marshal directed the Lagos State Sector Commander to “immediately activate all necessary processes for the prosecution of the individual involved for reckless driving, use of a mobile phone while driving, and distracted driving, in line with extant traffic laws.”
Mohammed stressed that fame does not confer immunity from the law.
“This incident, which could have resulted in loss of lives, serves as a grim reminder that fame does not excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads,” he said.
He also called on actors’ guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities to promote responsible conduct among their members, noting that celebrities wield significant influence, particularly among young people.
“The FRSC will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against any individual, celebrity or otherwise found engaging in distracted or reckless driving. No social media trend or online clout is worth a human life,” the statement added.
The Corps Marshal further reminded Nigerians that public roads are not studios or streaming platforms, urging motorists to obey traffic laws and report dangerous driving behaviours.
Reiterating its commitment to safer highways, the FRSC stressed that road safety remains a shared responsibility requiring discipline, restraint, and respect for the law, without exception.
Meanwhile, speculation has circulated on social media regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, including claims linking it to a personal dispute involving another content creator, Jarvis. These claims, however, remain unverified and were not referenced in the FRSC’s statement.
