The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to prosecute popular TikTok content creator Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, following a road traffic crash linked to what the agency described as reckless and distracted driving.
The decision comes amid growing concern by the road safety agency over the increasing number of traffic violations involving celebrities, social media influencers, and online content creators. The FRSC warned that such behaviour puts lives at risk and weakens national efforts to reduce road accidents and deaths across the country.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, raised the alarm after a video circulated widely on social media showing Peller live-streaming while driving. According to reports, the act led to a traffic crash, sparking public outrage and renewed debate about road safety and the role of public figures in promoting responsible behaviour.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed strongly condemned the incident, describing it as unlawful, dangerous, and unacceptable. He said the behaviour could easily have resulted in serious injuries or loss of life, not only to the driver but also to other road users.
“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 said.
He stressed that live streaming, recording videos, or engaging in any activity that distracts a driver while driving is a clear violation of Nigeria’s road traffic regulations. According to him, such actions pose a serious threat to public safety and go against all efforts to make Nigerian roads safer.
“Live streaming, content creation, recording or engaging in any activity that distracts a driver while driving is a direct violation of established road traffic regulations and poses grave danger not only to the driver but to other innocent road users,” the Corps Marshal stated.
As a result of the incident, Mohammed directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to immediately begin prosecution processes against the individual involved. He explained that the charges would include reckless driving, use of a mobile phone while driving, and distracted driving, all of which are offences under existing traffic laws.
The FRSC has, in recent years, stepped up enforcement against traffic violations as part of broader efforts to reduce the high number of road crashes in Nigeria. According to official data, thousands of Nigerians lose their lives annually due to avoidable road accidents caused by speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and disregard for traffic rules.
Mobile phone use while driving remains one of the leading causes of distracted driving in the country. Despite repeated warnings, public awareness campaigns, and enforcement actions, many drivers continue to engage in phone calls, texting, and now live streaming while behind the wheel.
The rise of social media has added a new dimension to this problem. With the pressure to create content and attract online views, some influencers and content creators have taken dangerous risks on the road, often filming themselves while driving. Road safety experts warn that this trend is not only illegal but also deadly.
Mohammed expressed concern that when celebrities and influencers engage in such acts, they send the wrong message, especially to young people who look up to them. He noted that many young Nigerians see these figures as role models and may copy their behaviour without fully understanding the risks involved.
“Celebrities and influencers hold considerable sway, particularly over young Nigerians,” he said. “They must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness.”
The Corps Marshal also called on professional bodies and organisations within the entertainment industry to take greater responsibility for the conduct of their members. He urged actors’ guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities to monitor their members and promote responsible behaviour, both online and offline.
According to him, industry groups should actively educate their members about road safety laws and the dangers of distracted driving. He said collaboration between the FRSC and the entertainment industry would go a long way in changing attitudes and saving lives.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, Mohammed warned that the FRSC would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against anyone found guilty of reckless or distracted driving, regardless of their social status.
“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,” he said. “No social media content, online trend, or momentary clout is worth a human life.”
He reminded motorists that public roads are shared spaces meant for safe movement, not places for filming or online performances. “Public roads are not studios, stages, or streaming platforms,” he said, stressing that they are governed by laws designed to protect lives.
The Corps Marshal also encouraged Nigerians to play their part by reporting dangerous driving and supporting collective efforts to make the nation’s roads safer. He said public cooperation is vital to achieving lasting improvements in road safety.
As Nigeria continues to battle high rates of road traffic crashes, the FRSC says it remains committed to creating safer highways. The agency stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility that requires discipline, restraint, and respect for the law by all road users, without exception.
With the planned prosecution of Peller, the FRSC hopes to send a clear signal that reckless driving, whether by an ordinary motorist or a famous influencer, will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
