PORT HARCOURT PRESS CONDEMNS BRUTAL ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS IN RIVERS
A collective of media professionals under the auspices of the Port Harcourt Press has strongly condemned a brutal attack on journalists performing their constitutional duties in Rivers State on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Port Harcourt, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, a former House of Representatives member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency and Publisher of the Port Harcourt Telegraph, denounced the incident as an orchestrated attempt to silence the media.
Hon Nwuke characterised the assault as the handiwork of “desperate politicians” seeking to instill fear and intimidation to foster an environment of insecurity.
“When the free press is threatened, all other organs of society are endangered,” Nwuke stated. “An attack on journalists carrying out their legitimate duties is a direct assault on the larger society.”
The incident occurred on Friday night when suspected political thugs invaded a popular hotel in the Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The armed group reportedly stormed the premises around 9:15 PM, disrupting a live Arise News interview featuring Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, the former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment.
Witness reports indicate that the assailants broke into rooms and targeted the Arise News crew, specifically assaulting the cameraman and seizing equipment and attempting to do hurt to the reporter and the TV guest.
The Port Harcourt Press has called on security agencies to investigate the matter urgently and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice to prevent further erosion of press freedom in the state.
Credit; Rivers State Television.
