Police Rescue Ex-BBNaija’s Winner Ilebaye, Detain Father

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested Emmanuel Odiniya, father of 2023 Big Brother Naija winner Ilebaye Odiniya, over allegations that he physically assaulted his daughter.

Ilebaye made a distress call during a midnight livestream.

The video, which circulated online in the early hours of Saturday, showed the reality TV star crying and pleading for help.

Speaking in a statement on Saturday, Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that the arrest took place in the early hours of Saturday in Abuja.

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.”

Adeh noted that the officers faced an initial standoff as 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,” 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.