Suspected political thugs on Friday night disrupted a live Arise Television interview in Rivers State, forcefully stopping the broadcast and making away with broadcasting equipment.
The incident occurred at a hotel in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where an Arise TV crew was conducting a live interview with a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa.
Eyewitnesses said the armed youths stormed the hotel around 9:15pm, forcing the live programme, News Night, to end abruptly. The attackers reportedly seized a camera and other equipment belonging to the television station.
Sources alleged that Nwibubasa was discussing the political situation in Rivers State and expressing views perceived as critical of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, when a man at the hotel lounge allegedly alerted the assailants.
A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said panic broke out as the armed youths invaded the premises, chanting in the Ikwerre language and threatening to shut down the interview.
“They were saying they would not allow such an interview in their territory. They were forcing doors open, searching for the former commissioner and the Arise TV crew,” the source said.
According to the account, hotel staff and guests fled for safety as the attackers moved from room to room before reaching the interview venue, where they threatened the guests and ordered the programme to stop.
An Arise TV reporter, Andy Omano, said he immediately contacted the police control room and alerted colleagues after escaping the scene.
“The police responded and said they were on their way. The Divisional Police Officer later arrived with his men and, together with the hotel manager, ensured that the commissioner and the journalist were escorted safely out of the hotel,” Omano said.
He added that they were taken to the Kala Police Station, where statements were recorded.
The station’s cameraman, identified as Promise, said several pieces of equipment were stolen during the attack.
“They seized my Sony Z280 camera, an industrial tripod, a wireless microphone and other accessories,” he said, adding that the assailants fled when they sighted the police.
Dr Nwibubasa confirmed that police intervention helped them escape unharmed and condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to democracy.
“This is not healthy for a democratic society,” he said. “I was already rounding off the interview and speaking about the 2027 general elections when they began breaking doors to look for me. This is a free society, and people should be allowed to express their views.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
