Outrage and Urgency: VDM Condemns Peller’s Suicide Attempt as Selfish and Irresponsible. A National Reckoning on Mental Health.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

In a deeply troubling moment that has captured Nigeria’s social media and public discourse this week, prominent TikTok streamer and content creator Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, reportedly attempted to take his own life following emotional distress related to a personal relationship breakdown. The incident, which saw Peller crash his vehicle during a live stream and later be rushed to hospital, has ignited intense reactions and from genuine concern and calls for empathy to fierce condemnation by controversial social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM).

VDM’s critique of the suicide attempt (labeling the act as “selfish” and “irresponsible”) has sparked wider debate about the way Nigerian society understands mental health, personal accountability, and the role of public figures in influencing young Nigerians. This is not merely an internet spat; it is a vital national conversation about how we view human dignity, pain, crisis, and support.

The Incident: What Happened to Peller?
According to multiple media reports, Peller, a youthful online personality with millions of followers, became visibly distressed during an Instagram livestream. In the footage, he appeared to be emotionally overwhelmed following a dispute with his girlfriend (known online as Jarvis) and made several troubling statements suggesting an intention to harm himself. Moments later, his vehicle collided with a roadside barrier, prompting bystanders to rush to his aid and subsequently lead him to medical care.

Although details remain partially unconfirmed by official statements from Peller or authorities, reputable news organisations have widely shared verified footage and coverage indicating the seriousness of the incident. As of this writing, Peller’s condition is still a subject of public concern, but he is believed to be under medical observation following the crash.

VDM’s Reaction: Sharp Words, Hard Questions. In an official Instagram statement, VDM (whose real name is Martins Vincent Otse, a Nigerian social media influencer and activist) condemned Peller’s actions in stark terms. VDM argued that Peller “failed to consider the emotional impact his actions could have on his mother and fans.” He described the attempt as selfish and irresponsible, asserting that the psychological fallout on family, friends and impressionable followers could have been devastating if Peller had succeeded.

Moreover, VDM did not limit his critique to the suicide attempt itself. He also took aim at what he characterises as “toxic behaviour” in Peller’s personal life, particularly regarding his relationship with Jarvis. VDM suggested that such instability, if unchecked, could damage not only Peller’s life but also the reputation and wellbeing of those around him. He called on Peller’s family to intervene and support him more actively.

Why This Matters: Suicide, Sympathy, and Social Responsibility. VDM’s response, though severe, underscores deeper issues at play in Nigeria’s growing mental health crisis:

1. Suicide Is a Public Health Issue — Not Only a Personal Failing. Globally and in Nigeria, suicide is recognised not as a moral failing but as a complex phenomenon rooted in psychological, social and economic stressors. Scholarly research highlights that for every suicide death, up to 20 individuals may attempt to end their lives as a stark statistical reminder that suicide attempts are far more common than often acknowledged.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that suicide claims over 700,000 lives annually worldwide and is a leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 which is the age bracket that includes Peller and many of his followers.

Yet under Nigeria’s current legal framework, attempted suicide remains ccriminalised and punishable by up to one year in prison under Section 327 of the Criminal Code. This punitive approach has been widely criticised by public health experts for discouraging individuals in crisis from seeking help and for framing psychological distress as a crime rather than a health emergency.

2. Experts Call for Compassion and Framework Reform. Leading voices in psychiatry and public health have urged a transformation in how suicide is addressed in Nigeria. Psychiatrists lament that criminalisation “cripples prevention efforts and creates a blind spot for data collection and support strategies.” They argue for decriminalisation and a shift toward therapeutic intervention.

Meanwhile, the Suicide Prevention Bill currently before the National Assembly seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a structured national strategy for prevention, care and aftercare — a critical step in treating such incidents as health issues requiring compassion and resources, not judgment or punishment.

Mental health advocates also point out that stigma ( cultural, religious, and societal) remains a major barrier to acknowledging and addressing mental distress. As one psychologist told Sahara Healthwise, “Anybody can be sick.,do not stigmatise them, attempted suicide could be a cry for help.”

3. Public Figures Have Influence — But Also Burdens. Peller’s stature as a content creator with a massive platform amplifies the impact of his actions. When influencers experience crises publicly, the reactions of fans and followers can intensify emotions and drive discourse, for better or worse.

VDM’s critique focuses on this dimension — cautioning that public figures in distress can inadvertently normalise harmful behaviour or trigger copycat responses among vulnerable young people. Research shows that irresponsible reporting of suicide can indeed lead to imitation, a phenomenon known as the “Werther effect,” prompting calls for sensitivity and responsible engagement from media and influencers alike.

Reconciling Tough Talk with Human Empathy
There is a tension in the way VDM addresses this situation. On one hand, his condemnation reflects a broader social expectation that individuals must act responsibly, especially when in positions of influence. On the other, mental health experts emphasise that language such as “selfish” or “irresponsible” (while capturing public frustration) can inadvertently reinforce stigma and drive individuals further into silence rather than healing.

As global mental health advocate Hauwa Ojeifo (founder of She Writes Woman and a leader in the fight for mental health rights in Nigeria) once articulated: meaningful change requires compassionate engagement, destigmatisation and community support. Her work highlights that understanding mental distress must move beyond blame towards empathy and structural reform.

What Should Happen Next?
This incident should prompt collective reflection, not merely social media skirmishes:

United action: Communities, policymakers, health professionals and families must work together to treat mental health with seriousness and dignity.

Decriminalisation: Nigeria’s Suicide Prevention Bill must be prioritised to promote care over punishment.

Support networks: Emergency hotlines and accessible psychological services should be strengthened so that individuals in crisis can find help without fear.

Responsible media: Influencers and news outlets must avoid sensationalism and instead provide fact-based, empathetic coverage that guides readers toward understanding and resources.

Suicide is not an isolated act; it is a symptom of deeper systemic failures mostly from economic pressures to emotional isolation. As a society, we must reject both judgment without empathy and fear without action.

In closing, violence against the self is never a simple act of selfishness. It is often a desperate plea for relief from overwhelming suffering. Responding with compassion, bolstered by evidence-based strategies and societal support, is essential if Nigeria is to transform this crisis into a turning point for dignity, care, and collective responsibility.

Grace Nation @ 22 : God keeps his Covenant with the Church intact since Inception – Dr Chris Okafor

….. The church has weather diverse kind of Crisis but God remains the God of Grace Nation at all times… Okafor.

… Thanksgiving is an Application for me

Grace Nation international aka Liberation City is 22 year old, The spiritual movement(Church ) that began in a small place, a Primary school Premises has Grown into a bigger church, a Mecca of sort, Liberation and Restoration ground, a Land of hope for the hopeless with over 80 branches across the world, winning souls into the Kingdom of God and depopulating the kingdom of Darkness.

The international Headquarters of Grace Nation world-wide aka Liberation City is located in oshofisan Street by Ereke bus stop Ojodu Berger Lagos Nigeria.

Reflecting back on the journey so far, for 22 years The Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor Grace Nation world-wide Dr Chris Okafor said the last 22 years of Grace Nation has witness God’s faithfulness, his blessings, God Protection and Provisions,saying God has kept all his covenant intact with the church.

Dr Chris Okafor also remarks that the church has survived many challenges, Allegations and counter allegation but the mighty hand of God upon the Church is evidential because the more the attack the More the blessing of God showing on Grace Nation and all its citizens.

We cannot but appreciate all our members for there steadfastness, despite all attacks and criticism, they are determined to stay with the church, sometimes the evidence might be real but the story is false, therefore God love on Grace Nation cannot be quantified, Am glad to inform all that when we faces challenges, it’s encourages God to bless us more Dr Chris Okafor remarked.

In his short Sermon earlier before the Thanksgiving Proper with the Title, “Breaking Into the Overflow through Your Prophet”, The Generational Prophet of God Dr Chris Okafor said to break into your next level of overflow, you must fulfill Scriptural Principles and understand the Place of your Prophet in the scheme of things in your life.

The Clergyman said the involvement of your Prophet as directed by God upon your Life quickens the plans of God to manifest on time in your life, therefore you must be well positioned to hacken to instructions and directive given by your Prophet to guide you into your overflow.

What will enemies do to stop you from entering into your overflow? The Generational Prophet of God said the enemies will go extra mile, doing everything possible to ensure he decieves you to fight or go against your Prophet, so that he hinder your Possible means to enter into your inheritance and overflow, but when you shun all the devices of the enemies and put Satan where he belongs by listening to instructions from your Prophet, your breaking into your overflow becomes evidential in your Life The Man of God concluded.

Special Thanksgiving Possession climaxes the 22 year anniversary of Grace Nation world-wide, The Pastorates, leaders, Head of Various units, Sect Group and citizens of Grace Nation dance to the altars to register their presence as sign of respect for God’s faithfulness, protecting and Provisions throughout the year of 2025.

Grace Nation is officially 22 years old and no Force either seen or unseen can stop the covenant of God upon the commission.

A CHILDHOOD FRIEND’S TESTIMONY: HOW MAJOR GENERAL ALI‑KEFFI’S PATH OF BETRAYAL BEGAN AT HOME

By Mallam Abdullahi Garba (Dan Asabe)

My name is Mallam Abdullahi Garba. Danjuma knows me well as Dan Asabe. For more than fifty years, my life has been intertwined with that of Danjuma Ali‑Keffi. We shared a childhood in Kaduna, dreams of service, and a bond I once believed unbreakable. I write today not out of malice, but under the heavy burden of truth.

The public now sees only the explosive allegations he has made against the state. What must be understood is the long, tragic pattern that preceded them.

The boy I knew was intelligent, but deeply troubled in his relationship with authority. A corrosive rebelliousness defined him from our neighbourhood streets to his years in uniform. This trait did not emerge suddenly; it matured. The military records now in the public domain did not invent this history—they documented it. Repeated refusal of lawful orders, the sabotage of colleagues, and retaliatory accusations against superiors who attempted correction were not anomalies; they were consistent behaviour.

His career became a slow‑motion testament to a single truth: he could not serve any institution beyond the altar of his own ego.

This pathology of betrayal was not confined to the barracks. Its most painful casualties were within his own home. I watched, powerless, as a man who rose to the rank of General dismantled every pillar of personal loyalty around him. Lifelong friends who offered counsel were cast aside. His siblings were treated with contempt. Most distressing of all was his treatment of the woman who gave him life.

When his mother lay hospitalised for weeks, fighting for her health, her son—the senior officer, the man of supposed honour—could not find a single hour to sit by her side. He offered neither comfort nor respect. This, to me, is the core of his character: a man perpetually at war with the world, leaving no room for love—only the cold certainty of his own righteousness.

His compulsory retirement was the institution’s final verdict. He was deemed unfit for command—described as incompetent, indolent, and disloyal. Released from military discipline, his destructive energy has now found a new target: the nation itself.

His present claims are not evidence‑based whistleblowing. They are a familiar script, repeated yet again—defy authority, fail within it, then accuse it of unspeakable evil. What was once a personal grievance has now been amplified into a tool capable of sowing national discord.

My plea, therefore, is twofold.

To the Nigerian public, I urge caution. Do not be seduced by the grandeur of sweeping claims. Examine the man behind them. Trace the unbroken chain from the disobedient officer to the estranged son to the accuser without proof. To amplify such a voice is to legitimise a lifelong pattern of ruin.

To Danjuma—my brother of old—this is my final warning. You stand at the edge of total self‑destruction. You have sacrificed your career, your friendships, and your family on the pyre of defiance. All that remains is your name, and even that you are burning.

Stop.

Before you speak again to the nation, find the courage to face the home you have destroyed. Seek forgiveness from your mother. Make peace with your past. Only there can redemption begin.

The path you walk leads to a legacy of ash. I pray you find the humility to turn back.

With a heavy heart,

Mallam Abdullahi Garba (Dan Asabe)

Hayin Banki, Kaduna

14 December 2025