Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has reacted to the viral video showing a road accident involving a popular TikTok content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, also known as Peller, who was driving during a live stream.
He cautioned against the trend of irresponsible driving by some celebrities and social media influencers, which poses a serious threat to public safety.
In a statement on Monday signed by the corps spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed labeled Peller’s actions as both illegal and hazardous, highlighting that they had the potential to cause fatalities.
He stressed that the incident “serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behavior on public roads.”
“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,” he stated.
He further stated that these behaviors weaken the nation’s initiatives to decrease road traffic accidents and related deaths
Consequently, he instructed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to initiate legal proceedings against the TikTok Star.
He disclosed that the individual would face charges of “reckless driving, using a phone while driving, and distracted driving,” in line with existing traffic regulations.
The corps marshal also urged professional organizations and groups in the entertainment sector, including actors’ guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities, to be accountable for their associations, guide their members, and encourage responsible conduct on Nigerian roads.
He emphasized that celebrities and influencers hold considerable sway, especially over youths in Nigeria, and cautioned that they “must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness.”
The corps marshal further stressed that 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 noted that “no social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life.”
“Public roads are not studios, stages or streaming platforms,” describing them as shared spaces governed by laws designed to preserve lives,” he said.
Mohammed called on Nigerians not to hesitate to report unsafe driving practices and to back collective initiatives aimed at improving road safety.