James Uche
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that fast-rising TikTok personality Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, is safe following reports that he was kidnapped during a livestream on Wednesday night.
The 20-year-old entertainer was said to have been seized by armed men while driving home and streaming live on social media. Viral footage from the incident appeared to show Peller initially mistaking the men for security operatives before being taken away, sparking widespread alarm online.
But police authorities have now dismissed claims of an abduction. Speaking to Channels Television on Thursday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Peller was “at home, safe and sound.”
“We are investigating the allegation, but we can confirm that the person in question, Habeeb, popularly known as Peller, is at home safe and sound. His vehicle is also intact, all his phones and properties—nothing was missing. But we are investigating to check the veracity of that claim, and the outcome of that investigation will determine our next line of action,” Hundeyin explained.
When asked whether the incident was a case of kidnapping, self-staged abduction, or a false alarm, the police spokesman maintained that all possibilities remained open.
“That is what we are investigating. All of his properties were intact, and he too was intact; there was no violence whatsoever,” he added.
The scare trended heavily on social media overnight, with fans and fellow creators expressing shock and concern for the young content creator.
Peller, who shot to fame in 2021 with comedy skits and livestreaming content, has since amassed a large following across TikTok and other platforms.
For now, police say further details will be made public after investigations are concluded.