By Chimdiogo Amuh 

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for 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 incident occurred on January 2, 2026, when suspected political thugs attacked an ARISE NEWS crew during a live interview at a hotel in the state capital, assaulting journalists and seizing broadcast equipment.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday at the NUJ State Council Secretariat, the National Vice President for Zone F, Mr Opaka Dokubo, who represented the NUJ National President, described the attack as a troubling indication of increasing threats to journalists’ safety.

“Journalists are apolitical professionals who must be allowed to carry out their duties without intimidation or harassment,” Dokubo said.

He emphasized that the media serves as a neutral platform for public engagement and should not be treated as a participant in political disputes.

“The media exists to promote peace, accountability and national development. It is not an enemy of any political group,” he added.

Dokubo acknowledged the swift response of the police following a distress call after the incident but stressed that the recovery of seized equipment alone did not amount to justice.

“The union demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved in this attack to serve as a deterrent and prevent a recurrence of such violence against journalists,” he said.

He warned that the incident posed serious concerns for press safety ahead of the 2027 general elections and urged journalists to remain “extremely security-conscious” while carrying out their professional duties.

“As we approach the 2027 election cycle, this incident raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists,” Dokubo noted.

The NUJ said accountability in the ARISE TV case was necessary to reassure media practitioners operating in an increasingly tense political environment.

“Only those who remain alive can continue to tell stories that shape public discourse,” he said, describing the incident as a “heinous act” that must not go unpunished.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack occurred at about 9:15 p.m. at a popular hotel in the Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The ARISE TV crew was interviewing a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, when suspected political thugs stormed the premises.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were reportedly armed, forced open hotel rooms, seized phones and searched for the former commissioner and the ARISE TV cameraman.

“They were chanting in their local language, forcing doors open and seizing people’s phones. Hotel workers started running helter-skelter,” an eyewitness said.

The assailants were said to have eventually reached the interview venue, threatened the former commissioner and the ARISE TV crew, and forced the live interview to be abruptly 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, demanding a thorough investigation and the prosecution of all those responsible.