The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says Emmanuel Odiniya, the father of Ilebaye Odiniya, the winner of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) All-Stars season, has been arrested for alleged assault.
Ilebaye was also rescued from her home in the early hours of Saturday and rushed to the NNPC hospital in Abuja after a disturbing video of the reality star went viral on social media.
The footage showed the reality TV star crying uncontrollably and pleading for help while displaying visible swelling on her face.
In the video, she could be heard demanding to leave the house while appearing to be prevented from doing so. The clip also captured a man striking her from behind as another male individual stood nearby without intervening.
In a statement released by Josephine Adeh, the police spokesperson in FCT, the command said it received a distress call at approximately 12:00 a.m. on May 9, 2026, reporting an ongoing assault at the Royal Anchor Estate in Wuye, Abuja.
Adeh said officers from the Wuye division, supported by the department of operations, were deployed to the scene. However, police were initially restricted at the gate for over two hours. Access was eventually gained at about 2:30 a.m.
“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 reads in part.
“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.
“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.”
