Armed youths suspected to be political thugs on Friday night invaded a hotel in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, disrupting a live television broadcast by Arise News.
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, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, on the programme News Night.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants forced the interview to end abruptly, seized broadcast equipment and threatened both the guest and the journalists. It was alleged that the attackers took offence at comments made during the discussion on the political situation in the state, which they perceived as critical of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
A source at the scene said the armed youths stormed the hotel, chanting in the Ikwerre language and claiming the interview would not be allowed in the area. Hotel staff and guests reportedly fled as the assailants forced doors open in search of the former commissioner and the Arise TV crew.
The situation was brought under control after a distress call was made to the police. Officers, led by the Divisional Police Officer for the area, arrived at the hotel and escorted the journalists and their guest to the Kala Police Station, where statements were recorded.
An Arise TV cameraman, identified as Promise, said his professional camera, tripod, wireless microphone and other accessories were taken during the attack. He added that the assailants fled on sighting the police.
Dr Nwibubasa condemned the incident, describing it as a dangerous development for democracy. “This is a free society. The manner in which they broke into rooms searching for me shows what we could be facing ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.
Police authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm whether any arrests have been made.
