Armed youths disrupt Arise TV live interview in Rivers, seize equipment
Armed youths suspected to be political thugs on Friday night disrupted a live television interview being broadcast by Arise Television in Rivers State, carting away cameras and other broadcast equipment.
The incident occurred at a hotel in the Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area during a live edition of News Night, where Arise TV was interviewing a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment in the state, Leloonu Nwibubasa.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the hotel around 9:15pm, forced the live broadcast to end abruptly and seized technical equipment belonging to the station. It was alleged that the interview, which focused on the political situation in Rivers State, did not align with the views of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, prompting the attack.
A source who spoke anonymously said the armed youths, chanting in Ikwerre, searched the hotel for the former commissioner and members of the Arise TV crew, forcing doors open and causing panic among guests and staff.
“The interview was almost over when they came in, saying it was ‘anti-Wike’ and should not have been held there. They threatened everyone and ordered the interview to stop,” the source said.
Arise TV reporter Andy Omano said he contacted the police after escaping the scene. According to him, officers from the Nigeria Police Force responded promptly, and the Divisional Police Officer later arrived at the hotel.
Omano added that, with the support of the hotel manager, the former commissioner and members of the media crew were safely escorted out of the premises to Kala Police Station, where statements were taken.
The station’s cameraman, identified as Promise, said the attackers made away with a Sony Z280 camera, an industrial tripod, a wireless microphone and other accessories before fleeing on the arrival of the police.
Reacting to the incident, Nwibubasa condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to free speech and democracy. He said the disruption occurred while he was speaking on political developments and the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
Police authorities in Rivers State have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
