Emmanuel Odiniya, the father of 2023 Big Brother Naija winner Ilebaye Odiniya, has been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for assaulting his daughter.
Ilebaye reportedly called for help during a livestream at midnight.
The reality TV star was seen sobbing and begging for assistance in the video, which went viral online early on Saturday.
Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh revealed in a statement on Saturday that the arrest happened in Abuja early on Saturday.
The statement read, “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.”
“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,” she added.
“Hon. Emmanuel Odiniya is currently in police custody, while a thorough investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement concluded.
The police intervention follows a period of intense public concern.
It is truly disheartening to see a father resort to violence against his own daughter, especially over her attempt to protect her brothers. Such actions raise many questions about the motives and circumstances behind this incident.
As we await the outcome of the investigation, one can only hope that justice will be served and that lessons will be learned to prevent such situations in the future
