Police arrest influencer Peller over reckless driving, alleged attempted suicide

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained a 20-year-old social media influencer, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, over alleged reckless driving and an attempted suicide that resulted in a serious road crash in Lagos.

The arrest followed the circulation of a viral video on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in which the influencer was seen driving dangerously on a public road while live-streaming the act on social media.

According to the police, the reckless act led to a severe motor accident that endangered not only the life of the suspect but also those of other road users.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, the Command confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody.

The police described Hamzat’s conduct as extremely dangerous, noting that it constituted a deliberate act capable of causing loss of life and a breach of public safety.

“His actions amounted to a serious threat to public safety and a deliberate endangerment of his own life and that of innocent road users,” the statement said.

The Command disclosed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation, adding that the outcome of the probe would be made public.

“The suspect will be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the law upon conclusion of the investigation,” the police stated.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, issued a stern warning to social media influencers, content creators and members of the public against using online platforms to promote reckless, dangerous or unlawful acts under the guise of content creation.

He warned that such actions could lead to avoidable loss of lives and disturbance of public peace, stressing that the Command would no longer tolerate such behaviour.

“The full weight of the law will be applied to anyone found culpable, regardless of status or online influence,” the statement added.

The police further urged all road users to comply strictly with traffic regulations, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to protecting lives, maintaining public order and ensuring safety across Lagos State.