The Lagos State Police Command has taken into custody a 23-year-old man, Abidemi Emmanuel, following allegations that he sexually assaulted a Lagos-based content creator, popularly known as Fems Thrift, and her female associate.
Police sources revealed that the suspect allegedly deceived the victims with a fictitious modelling engagement, inviting them to an apartment in Ajao Estate on February 8 under the guise of a fashion project.
In a video shared on her TikTok platform and monitored by Saturday PUNCH, the influencer recounted that she was contacted via Instagram by an individual who claimed to have recently relocated from the United Kingdom to launch an international fashion label in Nigeria.
She stated that the man offered her N140,000 for the proposed modelling assignment and requested her promotional support.
However, she alleged that shortly after she and her friend arrived at the designated location, the situation escalated into an assault.
The video testimony, which circulated widely online, drew significant public outrage, with social media users mounting pressure on authorities to ensure the suspect’s arrest.
Confirming the development in a response to our correspondent on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the case was being handled by the command’s Gender Unit.
According to him, the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue, adding that the matter is being treated in line with established procedures for sexual and gender-based violence cases to safeguard the rights and welfare of the complainants.
He further disclosed that the suspect would be arraigned upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Providing details of the incident, the victim alleged that upon arrival at the apartment around 11am, they observed that the space was largely unfurnished.
The suspect reportedly told them it was a temporary content studio and claimed other members of the production team were on their way.
She further alleged that the man later secured the door and intimidated them, creating an atmosphere of fear.
The complainant also claimed that before allowing them to leave, the suspect accessed their mobile devices and obtained private materials, allegedly threatening to release the content online if they spoke out.
The victims were said to have departed the premises later that afternoon.
Though initially hesitant due to alleged threats, the content creator eventually made the incident public, a move that prompted widespread reactions and accelerated police action.
