The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has confirmed the detention of Emmanuel Odiniya, father of former Big Brother Naija winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, over an alleged assault incident involving the reality TV star.
According to the police, officers responded to a distress call from Royal Anchor Estate in Wuye, Abuja, in the early hours of Saturday after reports emerged that Ilebaye was allegedly being attacked inside the residence.
FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said in a statement that officers from the Wuye Division, alongside operatives from the Department of Operations, were immediately deployed to the scene.
“On the 9th of May, 2026, at about 12:00 a.m., the FCT Police Command responded to a distress call… reporting an ongoing physical assault on Ms Ilebaye Odiniya Emmanuel by her father, Hon. Emmanuel Odiniya,” the statement read.
The police said operatives initially faced difficulty gaining access to 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.
Authorities confirmed that Emmanuel Odiniya remains in police custody while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The development followed a viral live video shared by Ilebaye on social media, where she appeared visibly distressed and repeatedly cried out for help, sparking concern among fans and social media users.