The Lagos State Police Command has officially confirmed the arrest and detention of 20 year old social media sensation Habeeb Hamzat widely recognized by his online alias Peller The arrest follows a series of alarming events captured during a live social media broadcast that culminated in a serious road accident in the Lekki Epe area of Lagos .
The incident has sparked significant conversation across Nigerian social media platforms raising concerns about the lengths to which content creators go for clout and the mental health pressures facing young influencers .
The Incident A Livestream Gone Wrong
On Sunday December 14 2024 Peller was hosting a live session on TikTok while driving his Mercedes Benz During the broadcast the influencer appeared to be in a state of high emotional distress Viewers witnessed him driving at high speeds and making troubling statements including threats to crash the vehicle .
The livestream captured the terrifying moment the vehicle lost control and crashed While Peller survived the accident the footage quickly went viral drawing the attention of both the public and law enforcement agencies .
Police Statement and Charges
In a statement released on Tuesday December 16 by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi the Command clarified that Pellers actions were being treated as more than just a traffic violation .
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According to the police the TikToker is being investigated for 1 Attempted Suicide Authorities stated that his verbal threats and subsequent actions constituted a deliberate attempt to take his own life 2 Reckless Driving The Command noted that his high speed maneuvering and use of a mobile device while driving posed a grave danger to other innocent road users .
The Commissioner of Police CP Olohundare Jimoh has ordered the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department SCID for a comprehensive probe .
FRSC Joins the Prosecution
The Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC has also weighed in on the matter Following the crash the FRSC expressed deep concern over the growing trend of distracted driving among influencers .
The Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed emphasized that fame does not grant immunity from the law The FRSC has vowed to prosecute the 20 year old for multiple traffic offenses including .
- Use of phone while driving .
- Endangering the lives of other motorists .
- Deliberate violation of road safety regulations for social media engagement .
A Warning to Content Creators
The Lagos State Police Command has used this high profile arrest to issue a stern warning to the Nigerian creative community CP Olohundare Jimoh stressed that social media platforms must not be used to promote lawlessness or dangerous acts that threaten public peace .
Such lawlessness will not be tolerated and the full weight of the law will be applied to any offender the Commissioner stated He urged the public to remember that no amount of online engagement or likes is worth the loss of human life .
Current Status of the Case
As of December 17 2024 Habeeb Hamzat remains in police custody Investigators at the SCID are currently reviewing the livestream footage and interviewing witnesses Once the investigation is finalized the police have indicated that Peller will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction .
This case serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of reckless behavior in the digital age and the strict stance the Nigerian authorities are now taking against dangerous social media stunts .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources Readers should cross check updates from official news outlets .