Popular Lagos-based TikTok livestreamer Hamzat Habeeb, widely known as Peller, was hospitalised on Sunday after he crashed his vehicle during a live broadcast on the Lekki–Epe Expressway.
The incident occurred while the 20-year-old influencer was livestreaming alone in his newly purchased Mercedes-Benz. Video footage from the livestream, which later circulated widely online, showed Peller visibly distressed while speaking on a phone call reportedly involving his girlfriend and fellow TikTok personality, Jarvis, amid public reports of a relationship breakdown.
During the broadcast, Peller appeared shaken and repeatedly expressed fear, saying, “I will kill myself.” “I’m scared. I’m scared.”
In another clip from the same livestream, he said:
“I don’t want to harm anybody. I will do this by myself.”
Moments later, the vehicle moved forward before colliding with a roadside stone barrier. The livestream ended shortly after the crash.
Another video shared online showed bystanders assisting him at the scene before he was taken to a hospital.
Following the incident, Jarvis released a short video statement reviewed by TNC.
In the video, she appeared distressed and emotional, saying, “I tried. You guys, I’ve tried. Why me? Why me now? What did I do? Why?” She added, “You guys know the truth. Una know the truth.”
She did not give further details about the relationship or events preceding the incident.
The incident triggered widespread discussion on X (formerly Twitter), One user, DADDY DABz (@Austeiin), criticised what he described as the culture of online hype surrounding influencers. He wrote:
“Remove social media madness, gimmicks, and clout… who exactly is Peller? What real value does he bring? Nigerians made him relevant, and that’s the plain truth. Loud behaviour plus foolish stunts equals instant fame. As long as nonsense pays, people will keep performing it.”
Another user, Elijah (@enyinwa_), focused on the legal and safety implications, stating:
“In a developed country, this would not be treated lightly. Streaming live while driving, showing reckless behaviour on a public road and putting other people at risk would attract serious consequences. These are not minor offences.”
Commenting on the relationship dimension, David Adeniyi (@DOlaAdeniyi) wrote:
“What stood out isn’t just the breakup. It’s the pattern. Every conflict becomes public and extreme. When things escalate this way, attention shifts from the real issue to crisis management. That removes accountability and puts unfair pressure on the other person.”
Others commented on the psychological risks of tying personal worth to online approval. David Adeniyi added:
“When validation becomes your identity, any loss feels catastrophic. Fame is loud, but it is fragile.”
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed awareness of the incident.
When contacted, the police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was awaiting a detailed report from the Divisional Police Officer responsible for the area. She said further information would be released after the report was reviewed.
On Monday, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, expressed concern over what he described as a growing pattern of reckless road use by celebrities and social media influencers.
In a statement signed by the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed described the incident involving Peller as unlawful and dangerous.
He said the development “serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads.”
Mohammed stated that “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 added that such conduct undermines national efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities.
The corps marshal directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to commence prosecution processes against the individual involved for “reckless driving, use of phone while driving, and distracted driving, in accordance with extant traffic laws.”
He also called on entertainment and creative industry bodies to take responsibility for their members, urging “Actors Guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities to rein in their members and promote responsible behaviour on Nigerian roads.”
Mohammed warned that influencers, particularly those with young audiences, “must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness.”
He added, “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 further reminded motorists that “public roads are not studios, stages or streaming platforms,” stressing that “no social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life.”
In August, Peller was involved in another viral livestream incident in which he was taken away by armed men while returning home. He initially appeared to believe they were security operatives.
As of the time of this report, Peller remains hospitalised and his medical condition has not been officially disclosed.
