The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of controversial crossdresser and social media personality, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, at the Seme Border onn Monday as the celebrity was reportedly attempting to flee the country.
In a statement issued Monday night, NIS spokesman DCI KT Udo revealed that Bobrisky had become a person of interest following a series of public controversies.
Udo noted that the arrest was part of the Service’s broader effort to maintain order and integrity at Nigeria’s borders.
“He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Udo said. He further reassured the public that the Service would remain civil and professional in carrying out its duties.
Bobrisky’s arrest comes amid serious allegations that have swirled around him in recent months.
Blogger Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, had previously accused Bobrisky of bribing officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him during an incident in April, where Bobrisky was seen spraying large sums of naira at a public event.
Following that event, Bobrisky was sentenced to six months imprisonment by a court, with the sentence being carried out earlier this year. He was released in August, but new controversies emerged as the blogger claimed that Bobrisky had paid millions of naira to secure special privileges while serving time in prison.
The allegations triggered widespread concern, prompting investigations by both the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The House of Representatives also initiated a probe into the matter, and the Federal Government suspended several senior NCoS officials pending the outcome of investigations.
On September 30, 2024, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated a special committee to look into the allegations of gross misconduct within the NCoS. The committee submitted its report on Monday, confirming that while Bobrisky served his jail term, he was afforded preferential treatment, including access to television and a fridge.
The full extent of Bobrisky’s legal challenges remains unclear as the investigation continues, with authorities now working to determine the next steps in the case.
