Nigeria: Police arrest Lagos Influencer ‘Peller’ over alleged attempted suicide, reckless driving

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

Lagos – The Lagos State Police Command has detained 20‑year‑old social‑media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, known online as “Peller,” after a video of him driving dangerously while live‑streaming went viral on December 14, 2025. The clip showed Hamzat speeding on a public road, endangering himself and other motorists, and culminated in a serious crash.

According to the police, the incident amounted to a deliberate attempt to take his own life and posed a grave risk to the public. In a statement issued on Tuesday by Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi on behalf of Commissioner of Police CP Olohundare Jimoh, the command confirmed that Hamzat is in custody and that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a full investigation. The police said the suspect will be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction once the probe is complete.

Commissioner Jimoh also warned social‑media influencers, content creators and the general public against promoting reckless, dangerous or unlawful behaviour for the sake of online views. He stressed that such actions can breach public peace and cause loss of life, and that the command will apply the full weight of the law to anyone found culpable. The police further urged all road users to strictly obey traffic regulations and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining public order across the state.

The arrest comes amid heightened concern over the impact of risky online content on public safety. Similar incidents have prompted calls for greater responsibility among digital creators.