By Peter Omopo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has demanded 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 attack occurred on January 2, 2026, when suspected political thugs assaulted an ARISE NEWS crew and seized their broadcast equipment during a live interview at a hotel in the state capital.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening at the NUJ State Council Secretariat, the National Vice President for Zone F, Mr Opaka Dokubo, who represented the NUJ National President, described the incident as a reflection of growing threats to the safety of journalists.
Dokubo said journalists are apolitical professionals who must be allowed to carry out their duties without intimidation or harassment, stressing that the media serves as a neutral platform for public engagement and should not be treated as a party to political disputes.
“The media exists to promote peace, accountability and national development and does not operate as an enemy of any political group,” he said.
While acknowledging the swift response of the police following the distress call raised after the incident, Dokubo maintained 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 the attack to serve as a deterrent and prevent a recurrence of such violence against journalists in the state,” he said.
Dokubo warned that the incident had serious implications for press safety as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections, urging journalists to remain security-conscious in the discharge of their professional duties.
He added that ensuring accountability in the ARISE NEWS case was essential to reassuring journalists operating in an increasingly tense political environment.
The NUJ described the incident as a “heinous act” and insisted that all those responsible must be brought to justice.
The union’s position followed reports that suspected political thugs invaded a hotel in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on January 2, disrupting a live ARISE TV interview with a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, reportedly armed, stormed the hotel at about 9:15 pm, forced open rooms, seized mobile phones and searched for the former commissioner and the ARISE TV cameraman. They were said to have later reached the interview venue, threatened the interviewee and the crew, and forced the live broadcast to be discontinued.
Following the incident, newspaper publishers, media managers 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, to investigate the attack and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
