Media veterans, publishers and media managers under the banner of Port Harcourt Press have condemned the attack on an ARISE Television crew in Port Harcourt, describing the incident as an assault on press freedom and a dangerous sign of rising political intolerance in Rivers State.
At a world press conference held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, led by Rt. Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, Sir Ngo Martyns Yellowe, and Rev’d Canon Jerry Needam, the group decried the unprovoked attack on the ARISE TV production team on Friday, January 2, 2026, while they were conducting an interview with former Rivers State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, at a hotel in Port Harcourt.
The journalists were reportedly attacked by armed men who forcefully disrupted the interview and carted away broadcast equipment.
Addressing the press, the body said the incident amounted to intimidation of the media and a direct threat to lives, warning that society comes under siege when journalism is threatened.
The group expressed concern over allegations by Dr. Nwibubasa that the attackers openly boasted that any statement made against their leader, former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, would be resisted and those involved dealt with.
They described such conduct as barbaric and outdated politics and condemned what they called a resort to intimidation and brigandage in the pursuit of power and relevance.
The media veterans also faulted the Rivers State Police Command over the handling of the incident, alleging that although the stolen broadcast equipment was reportedly recovered, no arrests had been made.
They further claimed that despite the interviewee reportedly naming one of the alleged perpetrators, no immediate action was taken by the police, raising fears of possible compromise and complicity.
The body demanded an urgent and thorough investigation into the attack, calling for the arrest and prosecution of all those involved within two weeks.
They warned that failure to act decisively could attract sanctions, including the withdrawal of media coverage of police activities in Rivers State, in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The group also appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to demonstrate commitment to justice by ensuring a transparent investigation.
The media executives further warned that the attack appeared to be a test-run of a broader plan to intimidate journalists and stifle the press ahead of future elections.
They cautioned politicians against heating up the polity and urged those who could not play by democratic rules to quit the political space.
In a strongly worded statement, the body called on Chief Nyesom Wike to exercise restraint, urging him to conduct himself as a statesman and help promote peace, tolerance and non-violent politics in Rivers State.
They warned that inflammatory statements and actions could push the state towards instability, stressing that any attempt to suppress the free press was a dangerous step towards dictatorship.
