The Federal Road Safety Corps’ Marshal Shehu Mohammed, has expressed concern over what he described as a growing pattern of reckless road use by some celebrities, content creators, and social media influencers.
While warning that such conduct poses serious danger to lives and undermines road safety efforts the Marshal’s statement follows a widely circulated video of Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller.
In the video making rounds on the internet, Peller was seen engaging in a live video stream while driving an incident which resulted in a road traffic crash.
In a statement signed by the corps spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Monday, Mohammed said the act was unlawful and dangerous, noting that it could have led to loss of lives.
According to him, 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.
He stated; “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.”
Mohammed added that such actions undermine national efforts aimed at reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities therefore, he directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to begin prosecution processes against the individual involved.
He said the prosecution would be for reckless driving, use of phone while driving, and distracted driving, in accordance with extant traffic laws.
He further called on professional bodies and groups within the entertainment industry to take responsibility for the conduct of their members.
To Actors Guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks, and content creator communities he urged to rein in their members and promote responsible behaviour on Nigerian roads noting that celebrities and influencers wield significant influence, particularly among young Nigerians and must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness.
The corps marshal reaffirmed that 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.
“no social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life,” he stressed.
He further reminded motorists that “public roads are not studios, stages or streaming platforms,” but shared spaces governed by laws designed to preserve lives.
Mohammed concluded by encouraging Nigerians to report dangerous driving behaviours and support collective efforts to make roads safer.
He reiterated the commission’s commitment to safer highways, stating that road safety remains a shared responsibility that requires discipline, restraint, and respect for the law by all road users, without exception.
