The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained popular social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, following a viral video showing him driving recklessly and crashing his vehicle during a live-stream.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on Tuesday, the arrest followed public outrage over the incident, which occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

In the statement, the police said the suspect’s actions posed a serious threat to public safety and warranted immediate intervention.

“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained, for further investigation, Habeeb Hamzat aka ‘PELLER’, subsequent to 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 statement partly read.

The command described the act as extremely dangerous, stressing that such behaviour could have resulted in fatal consequences for both the suspect and innocent road users.

“His action constitutes a deliberate attempt to commit suicide and endangers the lives of other innocent people”,. the statement continued.

The police further disclosed that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive probe.

“The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The outcome of the investigation will be made public, and the suspect will be charged to the court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the law”, it added.

The statement added that while reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, issued a strong warning to social media influencers and members of the public against exploiting online platforms to engage in unlawful conduct.

“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”. it added.

He warned that such behaviour would no longer be tolerated and assured residents of the command’s resolve to enforce the law without fear or favour.

“Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, and the full weight of the law will be applied on any offender. The Command further urges all road users to comply strictly with traffic regulations and remains committed to ensuring public peace and safety at all times.”

The incident has reignited public debate over the growing trend of risky stunts by content creators in pursuit of online engagement, with many Nigerians calling for stricter enforcement to deter similar acts.

Road traffic crashes remain a major public safety concern in Lagos, with authorities attributing many accidents to speeding, distracted driving and disregard for traffic regulations.

The police have consistently maintained that anyone found culpable in actions capable of endangering lives would be prosecuted, regardless of social status or online influence, as part of efforts to curb rising cases of reckless behaviour on the state’s roads.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to prosecute popular TikTok streamer Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, following a road traffic crash linked to distracted driving.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of reckless road use among celebrities, content creators and social media influencers, warning that such behaviour endangers lives and undermines national road safety efforts.

The warning followed a viral video showing Peller engaging in a live video stream while driving, an act the FRSC said reportedly resulted in a crash.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the corps spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed described the act as unlawful and dangerous, noting that it could have led to loss of lives.

“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,” the corps marshal said.

He stressed that live streaming, content creation or any activity that distracts a driver while driving is a direct violation of traffic regulations and poses serious risks to both the driver and other road users.

According to him, such conduct also undermines ongoing efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities across the country.

Mohammed directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to commence prosecution against the individual involved for reckless driving, use of a phone while driving and distracted driving, in line with existing traffic laws.

He also called on professional bodies within the entertainment industry, including actors’ guilds, influencer networks and content creator associations, to take responsibility for the conduct of their members and promote responsible behaviour on Nigerian roads.

The corps marshal noted that celebrities and influencers wield significant influence, especially among young Nigerians, and warned that they must serve as ambassadors of safety rather than symbols of recklessness.

Reiterating the FRSC’s zero-tolerance stance, Mohammed said the corps would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against anyone found engaging in reckless or distracted driving, regardless of status.

“No social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life,” he said, reminding motorists that public roads are shared spaces governed by laws designed to protect lives.

The 17th edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, Lagos edition, dazzled at the National Theatre on Saturday, with Seven Doors taking the shine.

While a drama, “Farmers Bride,” claimed the night’s top honours, the movie, “Seven Doors,” emerged as the most prolific winner.

It swept four major technical categories.

The most prestigious movie awards of the night went to “Farmers Bride” in the Movie of the Year and Director of the Year categories.

Seven Doors, Femi Adebayo’s technical masterpiece, proved to be the night’s biggest single film winner, taking home four highly coveted awards.

These were the awards for Best Production Design, Best Special Effects, Best Series, and Best Cinematography.

The film’s performance highlights the growing recognition of high-quality production and technical excellence in Nigerian cinema.

Beyond the top prizes, the awards celebrated diverse aspects of filmmaking.

The lead acting awards saw a clean sweep for the film “Black Out,” with Gideon Okeke and Padita Agu taking home the Best Actor and Best Actress statuettes, respectively.

In the supporting roles, veteran actress Mercy Aigbe was recognised for her role in “My Mother Is a Witch,” while Taye Ayimoro won for: “Son of the Soil.”

The memorable screen chemistry between Tobi Bakre and Folu Storms in “Red Cycle” earned them the award for “Best Kiss.”

“Abanisete” secured the Best Indigenous award, underscoring the importance of cultural storytelling.

The promising future of Nollywood was also highlighted with wins for Razaaq Adoti (Most Promising Actor for “Son of the Soil”) and Una Idoko (Most Promising Actress for “I Am Anis”).

The 17th BON Awards was a brilliant testament to Nollywood’s continued growth, celebrating both the established stars and the technical and creative professionals who are raising the bar for Nigerian storytelling globally.

Receiving special recognition awards for the year were the trio of Steve Ayorinde, Funke Akindele, and Dr. Shaibu Husseini

Full list of winners

BEST ACTOR – GIDEON OKEEKE (BLACK OUT)

BEST ACTRESS – PADITA AGU (BLACK OUT)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – TAYE AYIMORO (SON OF THE SOIL)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – MERCY AIGBE (MY MOTHER IS A WITCH)

BEST KISS – TOBI BAKRE & FOLU STORMS (RED CYCLE)

BEST SOCIAL MESSAGE – MAYOMI

BEST SHORT FILM – EGBEJI

BEST COSTUME – SEVEN DOORS

BEST SOUND – AGEMO

BEST SOUNDTRACK – IYALODE

BEST USE OF FOOD – OWAMBE THIEVES

BEST INDIGENOUS – ABANISETE

BEST CHILD ACTOR – AHMED ISA (FINDING NINA)

BEST CHILD ACTRESS – IJELU FOLAJIMI SHARON (SON OF THE SOIL)

MOST PROMISING ACTOR – RAZAQ ADOTI (SON OF THE SOIL)

MOST PROMISING ACTRESS – UNA IDOKO (I AM ANIS)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – SEVEN DOORS

BEST SCREENPLAY – MY MOTHER IS A WITCH

BEST USE OF MAKEUP – LABAKE OLODODO

BEST SPECIAL EFFECT – SEVEN DOORS

BEST EDITING – REEL LOVE

BEST DOCUMENTARY – BEYOND FOOTBALL

BEST SERIES – SEVEN DOORS

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – SEVEN DOORS

MOVIE OF THE YEAR – FARMERS BRIDE

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – FARMERS BRIDE