In a significant escalation of tensions over press safety, a coalition of newspaper publishers in Rivers State has declared its intention to sever cooperation with the state police command. This drastic step comes as a direct response to the law enforcement agency's perceived inaction following a violent assault on a television news team in Port Harcourt.
The Incident: A Brazen Attack on Journalists
The crisis stems from an event on Friday, January 2, 2026. A news crew from Arise Television was conducting a scheduled interview with Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, the former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment in Rivers State. The interview was taking place at a hotel in the state capital, Port Harcourt, when the journalists were reportedly ambushed.
According to accounts from the publishers, the assailants were armed. They not only disrupted the interview but also forcibly seized broadcast equipment belonging to the television station. The publishers have labeled this act a clear-cut case of intimidation and a grave threat to the fundamental principles of a free press.
Political Undertones and Police Inaction
The publishers leveled a serious allegation linked to the attack. They stated that, based on Dr. Nwibubasa's account, the attackers boasted that any commentary viewed as critical of former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, would be met with resistance. Those making such statements would be "dealt with accordingly."
The group condemned this approach as a "barbaric and outdated style of politics," asserting that using violence and fear to gain political relevance is unacceptable and must be opposed by all responsible citizens.
Their primary grievance, however, is directed at the Rivers State Police Command. While confirming that the stolen equipment was later recovered, the police have not announced any arrests, even several days after the incident. The publishers expressed deep concern that this failure to act persists despite the alleged identification of one of the perpetrators. This delay, they argue, raises serious doubts about the police's dedication to protecting journalists and upholding the law.
A Stand for Press Freedom and Society
Announcing the boycott decision, the publishers' leaders, Ogbonna Nwuke (a former House of Representatives member) and Martins Yellow, framed the issue in stark terms. They emphasized that allowing such impunity to go unchecked is dangerous for the entire society.
"An assault on the media is an assault on the wider society," they stressed, warning that when journalists are intimidated or attacked while performing their lawful duties, the whole community is put at risk. The boycott, they stated, has become a necessary tool to compel action and demonstrate that the media will not stand by while its members are targeted.
The publishers, operating under the Port Harcourt Press platform, have now drawn a line in the sand. Their threatened boycott of all police activities places intense scrutiny on the Rivers State Police Command to swiftly investigate, apprehend the culprits, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rule of law in the state.
