By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested Emmanuel Odiniya, father of former Big Brother Naija winner Ilebaye Odiniya, following an alleged physical assault incident at their residence in Abuja.
The arrest followed a distress call received by the police in the early hours of Saturday from Royal Anchor Estate, Wuye, Abuja.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh.
According to the statement, police operatives from the Wuye Division, alongside officers from the Department of Operations, were immediately deployed to the scene after reports that the reality TV star was being assaulted by her father.
“On the 9th of May, 2026, at about 12:00 a.m., the FCT Police Command responded to a distress call from Royal Anchor Estate, Wuye, Abuja, reporting an ongoing physical assault on Ms Ilebaye Odiniya Emmanuel by her father, Hon. Emmanuel Odiniya,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson stated that officers initially faced difficulty accessing the residence because the gate was locked.
“After several attempts, access was gained into the compound at about 2:30 a.m. Ms Ilebaye Odiniya, who was found with visible bruises, was rescued alongside her brothers and rushed to NNPC Hospital, Abuja, where she received medical attention,” Adeh added.
The command confirmed that Emmanuel Odiniya is currently in police custody while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The police intervention came hours after videos surfaced online showing Ilebaye in an emotional livestream allegedly crying for help during the incident.
In the video, the reality TV personality appeared distressed with visible facial swelling as she repeatedly called for assistance, sparking widespread concern among fans and
social media users.
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