The Nigeria Union of Journalists has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violent disruption of a live ARISE NEWS interview in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The union said the incident occurred on January 2, 2026, when suspected political thugs attacked an ARISE NEWS crew during a live broadcast at a hotel in the state capital, assaulted journalists and carted away broadcast equipment.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening at the NUJ State Council Secretariat in Port Harcourt, the National Vice President of the union for Zone F, Mr Opaka Dokubo, who represented the NUJ National President, described the attack as a serious threat to press freedom and journalists’ safety.
“Journalists are apolitical professionals who must be allowed to carry out their duties without intimidation, harassment or violence,” Dokubo said.
He stressed that the media plays a neutral role in society and should not be dragged into political conflicts.
“The media exists to promote peace, accountability and national development. It does not operate as an enemy of any political group,” he added.
While acknowledging the swift response of the police after a distress call was raised, Dokubo insisted that recovering seized equipment was not enough.
“The union demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved in this attack.
Justice is not served by merely retrieving stolen equipment. Those responsible must be held accountable to deter future attacks,” he said.
Dokubo warned that the incident had raised concerns about journalists’ safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging media practitioners to take extra precautions while on duty.
“As we approach the 2027 election cycle, this incident raises serious concerns for the safety of journalists. Media professionals must remain extremely security-conscious,” he noted.
He further emphasised the need for accountability in the ARISE TV case, describing the attack as a dangerous signal in an increasingly tense political environment.
“Only those who are alive can continue to tell the stories that shape public discourse. This is why justice in this case is non-negotiable,” Dokubo said.
The NUJ described the attack as a “heinous act” and insisted that all perpetrators must be brought to justice.
It was gathered that the incident happened when ARISE TV was interviewing a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, at a hotel in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were reportedly armed, stormed the hotel at about 9:15 pm, forced open rooms, seized phones and searched for the former commissioner and members of the ARISE TV crew.
“They were chanting in their local language, forcing doors open and seizing people’s phones. Hotel workers and guests started running helter-skelter,” an eyewitness said.
The assailants were said to have eventually reached the interview venue, threatened the guest and the journalists, and compelled the crew to discontinue the live broadcast.
Following the attack, newspaper publishers, media executives and journalists in Rivers State issued a two-week ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of those involved.
