Veteran journalists, publishers and media managers operating under the banner of Port Harcourt Press have strongly condemned the violent attack on an Arise Television crew in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, describing it as a direct assault on press freedom and a dangerous signal of political desperation capable of destabilising the state.
In a press conference statement jointly signed by Rt. Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, Sir Ngo Martyns Yellowe and Rev’d Canon Jerry Needam, JP, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as a calculated attempt to intimidate journalists and silence dissenting voices in the state.
Addressing journalists at the world press conference held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, the media executives said the attack, which occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026, underscored the grave consequences of allowing acts of intimidation against the media to go unchecked. They warned that society collapses rapidly when evil thrives and responsible voices remain silent.
The group stressed that any threat to the journalism profession automatically places society under siege, noting that the January 2 incident was a litmus test of what desperate politicians intend to reintroduce into Rivers State through fear, violence and insecurity.
Quoting former United States Senator Christopher Dodd, the group warned that whenever the public’s right to know, free speech and free press are threatened, all other liberties society holds dear are equally endangered.
They recalled that the Arise TV crew was attacked by armed men inside a hotel in Port Harcourt while conducting an interview with Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment. The assailants reportedly disrupted the interview, assaulted the journalists and forcefully carted away broadcast equipment, an action the group described as a blatant act of intimidation and a direct attack on society at large.
The media body further condemned allegations by Dr. Nwibubasa that the attackers openly boasted they would resist and challenge any statement perceived as critical of their leader, former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike. Such conduct, they said, represents a barbaric and outdated style of politics that must be totally rejected.
They expressed disappointment with the response of the Police, noting that although the stolen broadcast equipment was reportedly recovered, no concrete arrests had been made. The group said it was alarming that despite the mention of a suspected perpetrator’s name, no immediate action followed, adding that the silence of the Police since the incident raises serious concerns.
The group therefore demanded an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation into the attack, insisting that all those involved, including sponsors and accomplices, must be arrested and prosecuted within two weeks. Failure to act, they warned, could lead to sanctions such as the withdrawal of media coverage of Police activities in Rivers State in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
They called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to demonstrate professionalism and commitment by ensuring justice is served.
The group cautioned that the attack appeared to be a test-run aimed at intimidating journalists and gagging the press ahead of future elections. They warned politicians against heating up the polity even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declares electioneering activities.
Addressing Chief Nyesom Wike directly, the media leaders urged restraint and statesmanship, reminding him that power is transient and that no individual is more Rivers than another. They expressed concern over what they described as inciting rhetoric and conduct capable of inflaming tensions in the state.
Quoting former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, the group warned that dictatorship often begins with the suppression of a free press, declaring their collective resolve to resist any attempt to silence journalists or undermine democracy in Rivers State.
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