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| CP Adepoju Olugbenga |
PORT HARCOURT — Tensions are rising in the Rivers State capital following a violent disruption of a live broadcast that has sparked a heated row between Ogoni leaders and the Rivers State Police Command.
What was meant to be a routine interview at a hotel in the Orazi area of Port Harcourt turned into a scene of chaos on Friday, as armed youths reportedly stormed the venue to stop Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former Rivers State Commissioner, from speaking on air.
The Ambush at Orazi
The Arise TV news crew, led by reporter Andy Omano, was in the middle of a live session with Dr. Nwibubasa when the unidentified hoodlums struck. The attackers reportedly assaulted the journalists and seized high-end filming equipment, bringing the broadcast to an abrupt, violent halt.
While the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the DPO of the area responded quickly to recover the stolen cameras and rescue the victims, the aftermath has triggered a fresh wave of controversy.
"An Attack on the Ogoni Nation"
Reacting to the development, prominent Ogoni-born consultant and Executive Director of the Canada-based Compassionate Heart Foundation, Joe Korka-Waadah, slammed the police's handling of the situation.
In a stinging critique that is already trending across Port Harcourt social media circles, Korka-Waadah accused the police of "shielding the perpetrators" due to "undue influence."
"The failure to make a single arrest in an incident where the attackers were clearly visible amounts to aiding and abetting criminality," Korka-Waadah stated.
Why this matters:
Symbolic Timing: The attack occurred on Ogoni Day, a date deeply rooted in the struggle for Ogoni rights.
Democratic Threat: Activists are calling this a "dress rehearsal" for intimidation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Historical Trauma: Leaders are drawing parallels between this incident and the dark days of the 1990s involving Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Police Response
The Rivers State Police Command maintains that their "timely intervention" prevented a tragedy and ensured that all equipment was returned to the Arise TV team. However, the "Zero Arrest" status of the case has left many residents asking: Who sent the thugs, and why are they still walking free?
People Also Ask (Trending PH Search Terms)
Who is Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa?
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PH Blog Opinion: This incident raises a massive red flag for press freedom in Rivers State. If a former Commissioner and a national TV crew aren't safe in a hotel in Orazi, who is?
What do you think? Are the police doing enough to protect citizens, or is "undue influence" truly stalling justice in Rivers State? Drop your comments below! 👇
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