In a deeply emotional revelation on social media, Karen Igho, the winner of the 2011 Big Brother Africa reality TV show, has accused her husband, Yaroslav Rakos, of abuse. The public appeal was shared through a series of posts on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, October 2, 2024.

Karen, who has been battling with divorce proceedings, explained that her relationship with Rakos has taken a toll on her life. She claims to have endured physical and sexual abuse from him, sparking concern among her followers and prompting her to make a plea for help.

In her posts, she did not shy away from the grim details, highlighting her fears for her safety. She urged the public to hold her husband accountable if anything tragic were to happen to her. “I have been homeless for a year now and I have been sexually and physically hurt,” she wrote, laying bare her painful reality.

One of Karen’s main concerns is her children, with Rakos allegedly attempting to gain full custody by falsely claiming that she is mentally unstable. “He is trying to take our children away by saying I’m mentally sick,” she added, stressing that the accusations against her are baseless. “I’m not sick mentally and I don’t do drugs.”

Perhaps the most alarming part of her posts was her statement that she fears for her life, stating: “In case you don’t hear from me again, know that I have been killed.”

Karen relocated to the United States after her marriage to Rakos in 2014, which took place in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Her bold decision to speak out about the alleged abuse has put her at the center of a conversation on domestic violence and safety for women in vulnerable situations.