The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has ordered the immediate prosecution of popular TikTok streamer and content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, following a road traffic crash attributed to distracted driving.
The directive comes on the heels of a viral video showing the influencer engaging in a live stream while driving an act that reportedly resulted in a collision.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, in a statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, condemned the incident as unlawful and dangerous.
He raised alarms over a growing trend of reckless road use among celebrities and social media influencers, warning that such behaviour not only endangers lives but undermines national road safety efforts.
The Corps Marshal directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to commence the prosecution of Hamzat.
The charges are expected to include reckless driving, use of a mobile phone while driving, and distracted driving, in accordance with extant traffic laws.
Reacting to the incident, Mohammed emphasized that status does not place anyone above the law.
“The incident serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads,” Mohammed stated.
He stressed that live streaming, content creation, or recording while driving is a direct violation of established traffic regulations, posing a grave danger to the driver and innocent road users.
“Public roads are not studios, stages, or streaming platforms,” he warned, describing them as shared spaces governed by strict laws designed to preserve human life.
The FRSC boss also called on professional bodies within the entertainment sector to take responsibility for the conduct of their members.
He urged the actors’ guilds, influencer networks, and content creator communities to rein in their members and promote responsible behaviour.
Noting the significant influence celebrities wield, particularly over young Nigerians, Mohammed warned that they “must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness.”
He reiterated that the Corps “will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against any individual, celebrity or otherwise, found engaging in distracted or reckless driving,” adding that “no social media content, online trend, or momentary clout is worth a human life.”
The FRSC encouraged Nigerians to report dangerous driving behaviours and support collective efforts to make the highways safer.