The Police have arrested a 23-year-old man, Abidemi Emmanuel over the alleged sexual assault of a popular content creator known as Fems Thrift and her friend.
Police said Emmanuel allegedly lured the victims with a fake modelling job, inviting them to an apartment in on February 8.
In a video shared on her page, Fems said she was contacted via by a man who claimed he had recently returned from the United Kingdom to launch an international fashion brand in Nigeria. She said he offered her ₦140,000 for a modelling job and requested her influence to promote the brand.
According to her account, she arrived at the location with a friend, only to discover that the apartment was empty. She alleged that the suspect later assaulted both women after locking them inside the apartment and threatening them.
“When we entered the apartment, the room was empty. He claimed it was a space for content creation and that a makeup artist was on the way but had stepped out briefly. He then told me to take a shower before the makeup artist arrived, saying my skin was too oily for the shoot. He offered me a robe to change into,” she said.
“He showed us the key and told us to lock the door to feel safe before the videographer and other crew members arrived. Then he locked the door, stood in a corner, and I became scared. The man, after locking the door, brandished a knife and ordered us to undress. He tied our hands with socks and threatened to stab us if we resisted. He sexually assaulted us multiple times without protection.”
Fems further alleged that before letting them go, the man seized their phones, forced them to unlock private folders, and transferred intimate photos and videos to himself via AirDrop, threatening to release the materials online if they spoke out.
The case gained national attention after the video went viral, triggering widespread outrage on social media and sustained calls for police action.
Confirming the arrest on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, , said the suspect is currently in custody and that the matter is being investigated by the command’s Gender Unit.
“The suspect, Abidemi Emmanuel, 23, is in custody while the investigation continues,” she said. “The case is being handled in line with global best practices for sexual and gender-based violence investigations, with emphasis on the protection, dignity, and welfare of the survivors.”
She added that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Fems further alleged that before allowing them to leave, the suspect confiscated their phones and threatened to release private materials if they reported the incident. She said fear of blackmail initially kept her silent, but she later decided to speak out in pursuit of justice.
Following her disclosure, social media users circulated images of the alleged suspect and repeatedly tagged police authorities, intensifying public pressure that preceded the arrest.