RismadarVoice Reporters
January 10, 2026
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violent disruption of a live ARISE NEWS broadcast 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 interview at a hotel in the state capital, assaulting journalists and carting away broadcast equipment.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Friday evening at the NUJ State Council Secretariat, the National Vice President, Zone F, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, speaking on behalf of the NUJ National President, described the attack as a disturbing indication of growing threats to journalists’ safety.
“Journalists are apolitical professionals who must be allowed to carry out their duties without intimidation or harassment,” Dokubo said.
He stressed that the media serves as a neutral platform for public engagement and should not be drawn into political conflicts.
“The media exists to promote peace, accountability and national development. It is not an enemy of any political group,” he added.
While commending the prompt response of the police after a distress call was raised, Dokubo noted that the recovery of stolen equipment alone did not amount to justice.
“The Union demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved in this attack to serve as a deterrent and prevent a recurrence of such violence against Journalists in Rivers State,” he said.
Dokubo warned that the incident had grave implications for press safety as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
“As we move closer to the 2027 election cycle, this incident raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists,” he said, urging media practitioners to remain “extremely security-conscious” in the line of duty.
He added that holding perpetrators accountable in the ARISE NEWS case was essential to reassuring Journalists operating in an increasingly tense political environment.
“Only those who remain alive can continue to tell the stories that shape public discourse,” Dokubo said.
The NUJ described the attack as a “heinous act” and insisted that all those involved must be brought to justice.
Suspected political thugs invaded a popular hotel in the Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on January 2, disrupting a live ARISE TV interview.
The ARISE TV crew was reportedly interviewing a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, when the assailants stormed the hotel at about 9:15p.m.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were allegedly armed, forced open hotel rooms, seized phones and searched for the former commissioner and the ARISE TV cameraman.
“They were chanting in their local language, forcing doors open and collecting people’s phones. Hotel workers began running in all directions,” an eyewitness said.
The attackers were later said to have reached the interview venue, threatened the former Commissioner and the ARISE TV crew, forced the live broadcast to be abruptly terminated.
Following the incident, newspaper publishers, media managers, 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 into the attack.
