The Lagos State Police Command has taken into custody prominent social media personality Habeeb Hamzat, known widely by his online moniker “Peller,” following a shocking incident in which the influencer allegedly engaged in reckless driving that culminated in a road crash—all while broadcasting the events live to his online audience.
The arrest, confirmed by Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi in a statement issued Tuesday, comes in the wake of widespread public outcry after video footage of the incident went viral on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
According to police authorities, the video evidence shows Hamzat driving in an extraordinarily dangerous manner, with complete disregard for traffic safety regulations, before losing control of his vehicle and crashing. What makes this case particularly alarming to investigators is that the entire sequence of events was deliberately live-streamed to his followers, turning what police describe as a “grave risk to lives” into entertainment content.
“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained, for further investigation, Habeeb Hamzat, aka ‘PELLER,’ after the viral video that surfaced online on Sunday, 14th December, 2025, in which he was seen driving recklessly, leading to a dangerous road crash and serious motor accident, while the incident was being live-streamed, thereby endangering his life and that of other road users,” the police statement read.
In unusually strong language, police characterized Hamzat’s actions as constituting “a deliberate attempt to commit suicide” while simultaneously endangering innocent members of the public. The command emphasized that the influencer’s behavior was not merely careless but “highly irresponsible,” with potentially fatal consequences for both the content creator himself and unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians who happened to share the road at the time.
The severity with which authorities have responded to this incident underscores growing concerns about the lengths to which some social media personalities will go in pursuit of viral content and online engagement.
The case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation. Police have indicated that once their inquiries are complete, findings will be made public and Hamzat will face charges in a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Nigerian law.
The range of potential charges could include reckless endangerment, traffic violations, and potentially other offenses related to the nature of the live-streamed content.
Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has seized upon this high-profile case to issue a broader warning to Nigeria’s burgeoning community of social media influencers and content creators.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, strongly warns social media influencers, content creators, and general members of the public to desist from using social media platforms to engage in or promote reckless, dangerous, or unlawful and criminal acts,” the statement declared.
CP Jimoh made clear that the command would not tolerate such behavior and promised that “the full weight of the law will be applied to any offender.” He further urged all road users to comply strictly with traffic regulations, reaffirming the command’s commitment to ensuring public peace and safety.
This arrest highlights an increasingly worrying trend in the digital age: the pursuit of viral fame at any cost. As social media platforms reward sensational content with views, likes, and monetary compensation, some creators have pushed boundaries ever further, sometimes with tragic results.
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and commercial capital, already contends with significant traffic congestion and road safety challenges. The addition of content creators treating public roads as stages for dangerous stunts has added a new dimension to these concerns.
Authorities hope that Hamzat’s arrest and prosecution will send a clear message that the law applies equally to all citizens, regardless of their online following or celebrity status, and that public safety cannot be sacrificed on the altar of social media engagement.
The case is expected to proceed through the courts in the coming weeks, with many watching closely to see whether it will indeed serve as the deterrent authorities intend.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Popular TikToker “Peller” (Habeeb Hamzat) has been arrested by Lagos Police after live-streaming himself driving recklessly and crashing on December 14, 2025. The incident has prompted authorities to issue a stern warning: social media fame does not exempt anyone from the law. Police are making it clear that content creators who engage in dangerous, illegal activities for online views will face serious criminal charges.
The message is simple—public safety is not negotiable, and the pursuit of viral content that endangers lives will be met with the full force of the law. This case serves as a critical precedent in an era where the line between entertainment and recklessness is increasingly blurred.
