Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested Emmanuel Odiniya, the father of former Big Brother Naija winner Ilebaye Odiniya, over alleged domestic violence following a viral incident shared online.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday, May 9, 2026, at the family’s residence in Royal Anchor Estate, Wuye, Abuja.
According to sources close to the family, the altercation allegedly started after a heated disagreement between Ilebaye and her father escalated inside the house.
The argument was said to have intensified before it reportedly turned physical, prompting the reality TV star to go live on Instagram while crying and calling for urgent help.
The development comes after videos from the livestream surfaced online, showing emotional moments that quickly triggered reactions from fans and concerned Nigerians across social media platforms.
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Reacting to the situation, the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed in a statement released on Saturday that officers responded to a distress call from Royal Anchor Estate in Wuye around midnight.
The police said a patrol team from the Wuye Division, alongside operatives from the Department of Operations, was immediately deployed to the residence after receiving reports that Ilebaye was allegedly being physically assaulted by her father.
Authorities disclosed that officers initially faced difficulty accessing the property because the gate to the compound was locked. After several attempts, security operatives eventually gained entry around 2:30 a.m.
Police said Ilebaye was rescued from the residence alongside her brothers and taken to NNPC Hospital in Abuja for medical attention after officers reportedly observed visible bruises on her body.
The command further confirmed that Emmanuel Odiniya is currently in police custody while investigations continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case has continued to generate reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the alleged assault involving the former reality TV star and her family.
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