Suspected Thugs Disrupt Live Arise TV Interview in Rivers Hotel
Suspected political thugs on Friday night invaded a popular hotel in the Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, disrupting a live Arise TV interview with a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa.
The incident occurred while an Arise TV crew was conducting a live interview with Nwibubasa at the hotel.
The former commissioner was speaking on the political situation in the state at the time of the attack.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, who were reportedly armed, stormed the hotel around 9:15 pm and broke into several rooms.
They were allegedly searching for the former commissioner and the Arise TV cameraman.
“They were chanting in their local language, forcing doors open and seizing people’s phones. Workers in the hotel started running helter-skelter,” an eyewitness said.
It was gathered that the thugs later located the spot where the interview was ongoing.
They reportedly threatened the former commissioner and members of the Arise TV crew, forcing them to discontinue the live interview.
One of the reporters with the Arise TV crew told Punch that he received a distress call from his colleague and immediately rushed to the hotel.
“At that point, I called the police control room and also made calls across to some of my colleagues. The police responded and said they were on their way to the hotel.
“When I arrived, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area was already on the ground with his men.
“Together with the hotel manager, they ensured that the former commissioner and the journalist were brought out of the hotel and taken to the Kala Police Station,” he said.
He added that as of the time of filing this report, the police had taken their statements.
Speaking to Punch, an Arise TV cameraman, identified as Promise, said, “The men seized my Sony Canada Z280, industrial tripod, wireless microphone and other accessories.”
He expressed shock over the incident, saying he had just filed a report of an earlier event he covered before commencing the live interview.
“I had just filed that report before starting with the former commissioner on a programme called News Night when two men stormed the place and disrupted the live interview,” he said.
Promise added that the assailants made threatening remarks but fled upon sighting the police, who responded to distress calls.
When contacted, the former commissioner said he was safe and confirmed that policemen came to his rescue.
Nwibubasa, however, condemned the attack, describing it as unhealthy for democracy.
“I was already rounding off the interview and speaking about the forthcoming 2027 general elections. They are already showing signs of what will happen.
“See how they were breaking down doors looking for me. Why? This is a free society,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
