Ilebaye, father, siblings hospitalised after family confrontation

Ex-Big Brother Naija winner Ilebaye Odiniya, alongside members of her family, including her father, Emmanuel, and one of her brothers, has been hospitalised at Yabisam Hospital following a family confrontation that sparked widespread concern online.

The incident came to public attention after Ilebaye shared an emotional livestream video in which she was seen crying and calling for help.

Confirming the development in a telephone conversation with Sunday Scoop, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said all parties involved sustained injuries and were receiving treatment.

“The man is in the hospital; he is sick. All of them were badly injured and are all in the hospital. We’ve not released anybody,” she said.

In a follow-up statement, Adeh disclosed that Ilebaye and her younger brothers, Godson, 14, and Devin, 10, were rescued and taken to the hospital alongside their father.

“Following the rescue of Ms. Ilebaye Odiniya, 27, and her two brothers, Godson and Devin, they were rushed to Yabisam Hospital, Lugbe, alongside their father, who also sustained injuries during the confrontation, by the Area Commander Metro, ACP Ufomadu Georglyn.

“The rescued siblings are currently in police protective custody, contrary to reports circulating online, while their father, who is also receiving medical treatment, remains in police custody. Investigations are ongoing, and questioning will commence immediately all parties are certified medically stable by the attending doctors,” the statement read.

The viral livestream, shared in the early hours of Saturday, triggered reactions from fans, colleagues and supporters, many of whom demanded urgent intervention.

Reality TV star Beauty Tukura later announced that Ilebaye had been rescued.

“She’s no longer in harm’s way. Thank God,” Tukura wrote, adding, “It’s not my story to tell, but thanks, everyone. Ilebaye is fine, and she’ll tell her story in her time.”

Also reacting, Venita Akpofure condemned violence against children, especially girls.

“As a father, there is absolutely no reason for some kind of levels of violence towards your own children, especially the girl children. It’s traumatic and does psychological damage beyond repair,” she wrote.

The FCT Police Command had earlier confirmed the arrest of Emmanuel over the alleged assault after officers responded to a distress call from Royal Anchor Estate, Wuye, Abuja, around midnight on Saturday.

According to Adeh, police officers gained access to the compound at about 2:30am and rescued Ilebaye, who was reportedly found with visible bruises, alongside her brothers before taking them to NNPC Hospital, Abuja, for treatment.

The police also stated that Emmanuel remained in custody while investigations continued.

However, former BBNaija winner Phyna later claimed on X that Ilebaye’s father had been released and the younger boys returned to him.

“Baye’s dad just got released and the two younger brothers given back to him. Please, what kind of style is this one? No investigation, no proper investigation, you left him to go home. Nigeria police,” she wrote.

The incident has continued to generate mixed reactions on social media, with many expressing sympathy for Ilebaye, while others urged caution pending a full account from both sides.

As of the time of filing this report, Ilebaye had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.