Armed youths suspected to be political thugs on Friday night stormed a hotel in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, disrupting a live Arise Television interview and carting away broadcast equipment.
The incident occurred during News Night, while an Arise TV crew was conducting a live interview with former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Leloonu Nwibubasa.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants abruptly forced the live broadcast to an end, seized cameras and other technical equipment belonging to the station, and caused panic among hotel guests and staff.
Sources at the scene alleged that the attack followed comments made by Nwibubasa on the political situation in Rivers State, which were perceived as critical of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. It was further claimed that a man inside the hotel lounge alerted the attackers while the interview was ongoing.
According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the armed youths arrived at the hotel at about 9:15 p.m., chanting in Ikwerre that they would not allow such an interview to take place on their land.
“They were forcing doors open, searching for the former commissioner and the Arise TV crew. People ran for their lives,” the source said.
The source added that Nwibubasa and the Arise cameraman narrowly escaped as the attackers broke into rooms, claiming the interview was “anti-Wike” and should not have been conducted in the area.
“They eventually got to the spot where the interview was holding and threatened both the former commissioner and the Arise crew, forcing the interview to stop,” the source said.
Arise TV reporter Andy Omano, who also escaped the attack, said he immediately contacted the police.
“I called the police control room and also reached out to colleagues. The police responded and said they were on their way,” he said.
Omano explained that the Divisional Police Officer later arrived with officers and, alongside the hotel manager, ensured that Nwibubasa and the journalists were safely escorted out of the hotel to Kala Police Station, where statements were taken.
The Arise TV cameraman, identified as Promise, said the attackers made away with his Sony Canada Z280 camera, an industrial tripod, wireless microphone, and other accessories.
“I had just filed a report before the interview when two men stormed the area and disrupted the live programme,” he said, adding that the assailants fled upon the arrival of the police.
Reacting to the incident, Nwibubasa condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to democracy.
“I was already rounding off the interview and speaking about the 2027 general elections. This is already showing us signs of what is to come. They were breaking doors looking for me. Why? This is a free society,” he said.