Nigeria’s social media space was thrown into panic on Wednesday night after reports surfaced that popular TikToker Peller had been abducted by gunmen in the middle of a livestream. Less than 24 hours later, relief swept through his fan base as the Nigeria Police Force confirmed he had been rescued in a late-night operation.
The shocking incident occurred while Peller was engaging his followers online, only for the broadcast to be abruptly interrupted amid sounds of commotion. Videos of the moment quickly went viral, fueling fears that the content creator had been taken by armed men.
By Thursday morning, Peller’s colleague and close associate, Sandra Benede, went live on social media to announce that the police had located him. “They have seen him. The DPO has seen him. They haven’t given full details yet, but he has been found,” she said, her relief evident.
The circumstances of the rescue remain unclear as police authorities are yet to provide a full statement. However, sources within the force hinted that tactical units swung into action overnight after tracing leads from eyewitness reports and digital evidence.
Peller’s case has amplified growing concerns about rising insecurity and the vulnerability of public figures in Nigeria. The fact that the incident unfolded live before thousands of followers made it one of the most disturbing abduction attempts ever captured on social media.
Fans across TikTok, Instagram, and X (Twitter) have flooded timelines with prayers and messages of relief. Many are now demanding stricter security measures for digital influencers, arguing that the visibility of their online activities makes them easy targets.
For now, Peller is said to be safe and in police custody for debriefing. His survival has been described as “nothing short of a miracle” by supporters who feared the worst after his livestream went dark. Nigerians now wait for official updates on whether his alleged abductors were apprehended — and what this chilling episode means for the safety of online creators going forward.
