In a brazen act of intimidation, suspected political thugs on Friday night violently stormed a popular hotel in Rivers State, forcibly disrupting a live television interview and sowing panic among guests and staff.
Live Broadcast Abruptly Ended by Armed Invaders
The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 pm on Friday, January 3, 2026, at a hotel located in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. An Arise TV crew was conducting a live interview with Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment in the state, for the station's News Night programme.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, believed to be politically motivated and allegedly armed, forcefully broke into several rooms within the hotel premises. They were chanting in a local dialect while seizing mobile phones from occupants, causing workers and guests to flee in confusion.
Targeted Search for Former Commissioner and Crew
Sources indicate the attackers were specifically searching for Dr. Nwibubasa and the Arise TV cameraman. They eventually located the interview venue, where they issued direct threats against the former commissioner and the television crew, forcing an immediate end to the live broadcast.
One of the Arise TV journalists involved stated he received a distress call from his colleague during the invasion. He immediately alerted the police control room and rushed to the scene. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for the area and his team responded, arriving at the hotel promptly.
With assistance from the hotel manager, security personnel safely escorted Dr. Nwibubasa and the journalists from the premises to the Kala Police Station for protection. Preliminary statements were taken from the victims as part of the investigation.
Stolen Equipment and Condemnation of Democratic Threat
An Arise TV cameraman, identified as Promise, reported that several valuable broadcast items were stolen during the chaos. The stolen equipment included:
- A Sony Canada Z280 camera
- An industrial tripod
- Wireless microphones and other accessories
Promise recounted that the attackers made threatening remarks before fleeing upon seeing the approaching police officers, who were responding to distress calls from the journalists and hotel management.
Confirming the attack, Dr. Nwibubasa said he was safe and credited the police's timely intervention for preventing a worse outcome. He strongly condemned the act, describing it as a dangerous signal for democracy in Rivers State. "I was already rounding off the interview and speaking about the forthcoming 2027 general elections. They are already showing signs of what will happen," he stated. "This kind of intimidation is unhealthy for democracy."
Efforts to get an official statement from the Rivers State Police Command were unsuccessful as of Saturday morning. The command's spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, did not respond to repeated calls or a text message.
