The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to prosecute popular social media personality Peller, also known as Peller TikTok, in connection with a fatal road crash involving his vehicle earlier this month, a spokesperson said on Friday.
The warning followed a widely circulated video involving a popular TikTok streamer, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, who was seen engaging in a live video stream while driving. The incident reportedly resulted in a road traffic crash.
Mr Mohammed, in a statement signed by the corps’ Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, described the act as unlawful and extremely dangerous, noting that it resulted in a road traffic crash.
He warned that the incident could easily have led to the loss of lives. He reiterated the dangers of distracted and reckless driving, particularly while using mobile devices on public roads.
He stated: “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. Such actions undermine ongoing national efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities.
“In line with this position, the Corps Marshal has directed the Lagos State Sector Commander to immediately activate all necessary processes for the prosecution of the individual involved for reckless driving, use of phone while driving and distracted driving, in accordance with extant traffic laws.”
Mr Mohammed said the incident served as a stark reminder that fame offered no immunity from the law and did not excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads.
He expressed deep concern over the growing pattern of reckless road use by some celebrities, content creators, and social media influencers, who, in their pursuit of online attention, deliberately flout traffic regulations and put lives at risk.
The corps marshal also called on professional bodies and groups within the entertainment industry to take responsibility for the conduct of their members.
He urged Actors Guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities to rein in their members and promote responsible behaviour on Nigerian roads.
Mohammed noted that celebrities and influencers wield significant influence, particularly among young Nigerians, and warned that they “must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness.”
Warning of strict enforcement, the corps marshal said 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 stressed that “no social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life.”
He further reminded motorists that “public roads are not studios, stages or streaming platforms,” describing them as shared spaces governed by laws designed to preserve lives.
