Thugs disrupt ARISE TV live interview in Rivers, seize broadcast equipment

Armed youths believed to be political thugs on Friday night invaded a hotel in the Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, disrupting a live television interview being aired by ARISE Television and carting away broadcast equipment.

The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m. while an ARISE TV crew was conducting a live interview with a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment in the state, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, on the programme News Night. The assailants reportedly forced the interview to end abruptly and seized cameras and other technical accessories belonging to the television station.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were allegedly armed, stormed the hotel shortly after a man in the hotel’s lounge was said to have alerted them while the interview was ongoing. The former commissioner was reportedly discussing political developments in Rivers State, with views alleged not to align with those of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the thugs claimed the interview was “anti-Wike” and insisted it should not be conducted in what they described as their territory. The source added that the assailants broke into hotel rooms while searching for Dr. Nwibubasa and members of the ARISE TV crew.

“They were chanting in Ikwerre that they would not allow such an interview on their land,” the source said. “They were forcing doors open, and hotel workers were running helter-skelter. When they got to the interview location, they threatened the former commissioner and the ARISE TV crew and forced them to stop the programme.”

The situation prompted an ARISE TV reporter, Mr. Andy Omano, who escaped from the scene, to alert the police. The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area later arrived with his team. With the assistance of the hotel manager, the police escorted Dr. Nwibubasa and the journalists out of the hotel to the Kala Police Station, where statements were taken.

An ARISE TV cameraman, Promise, who also escaped the attack, said the assailants made away with his Sony Z280 camera, an industrial tripod, wireless microphones and other accessories.

“I had just filed a report and was preparing to continue the interview when the men stormed the place and disrupted the live programme,” he said, adding that the attackers fled upon sighting the police.

Reacting to the incident, Dr. Nwibubasa condemned the attack, describing it as dangerous for democracy. He said the assault occurred as he was rounding off his discussion, including comments on the 2027 general elections.

“This is not healthy in a democracy,” he said. “See how they were breaking doors looking for me. Why? This is a free society. What happened is already showing us signs of what could come if such actions are allowed to continue.”