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 action that culminated in a road crash.
The directive was contained in a statement signed on Monday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in which the FRSC expressed serious concern over what it described as a growing pattern of reckless road use by celebrities, content creators, and social media influencers in pursuit of online attention.
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 ended in a crash that deployed the vehicle’s airbag and attracted the intervention of bystanders.
According to the FRSC, the act constituted a direct violation of traffic regulations and posed grave danger to other road users. The Corps Marshal consequently directed the Lagos State Sector Commander to immediately initiate all necessary processes for the prosecution of the individual involved for reckless driving, use of a phone while driving, and distracted driving, in line with existing traffic laws.
Mohammed stressed that fame does not place anyone above the law, warning that the incident could have resulted in loss of lives. He said the development serves as a stark reminder that public recognition does not excuse dangerous behaviour on the road.
He further called on actors’ guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities to promote responsible conduct among their members, noting that celebrities exert significant influence, particularly on young people.
The FRSC reiterated that it would apply the full weight of the law against anyone, celebrity or otherwise, found engaging in distracted or reckless driving, stressing that no social media trend or online popularity is worth a human life. The Corps Marshal also reminded Nigerians that public roads are not studios or streaming platforms and urged motorists to obey traffic laws and report dangerous driving.
While social media users have speculated about the circumstances surrounding the incident, including claims linking it to a personal dispute, the FRSC noted that such claims remain unverified and were not referenced in its statement, as it reaffirmed its commitment to safer highways across the country.
