Police Arrest Ilebaye’s Father Over Alleged Assault

 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of Honourable Emmanuel Odiniya over the alleged assault of his daughter, Miss Ilebaye Odiniya, winner of the 2023 season of the popular television reality show, Big Brother Naija.

Ilebaye Odiniya, in the early hours of Saturday, appeared in an emotional live video which went viral on social media, alleging that she was assaulted by some men.

In the video, the former Big Brother Naija winner was seen crying and pleading for help while showing what appeared to be visible swelling on her face.

Confirming the arrest in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday, the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, quoted the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, as saying: “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.

“Following the report, a patrol team from Wuye Division, supported by operatives of the Department of Operations, FCT Police Command, was immediately deployed to the scene. The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer was also present to monitor the operation.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that the gate to the residence 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.

“Hon. Emmanuel Odiniya is currently in police custody, while a thorough investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”