In a chilling escalation of political violence, armed thugs stormed the Londa Hotel in Obio/Akpor LGA on Friday night, January 2, 2026, violently terminating a live Arise News broadcast and sending guests into a state of terror.
The target was Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, a former Commissioner and ally of both Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Atiku Abubakar. Nwibubasa was midway through a live crossing on the “News Night” program, discussing the state’s fractured political landscape, when the “coordinated assault” began.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of lawlessness as dozens of youths, chanting in the local Ikwerre dialect, overran the hotel.
Reportedly, at approximately 9:15 PM, the gang forced their way past security, shouting that they would not allow “anti-Wike” sentiment to be broadcast from “their territory.”
The thugs conducted a room-to-room sweep, kicking down doors and seizing mobile phones from terrified hotel guests and staff to prevent them from filming the incident.
Upon locating the interview set, the assailants threatened the crew and Dr. Nwibubasa at gunpoint, forcing an immediate end to the transmission.
Before fleeing, the thugs carted away high-end broadcasting gear, including a Sony Z280 camera, an industrial tripod, and wireless audio equipment.
The attack is being viewed as a direct consequence of the Wike-Fubara feud.
In a statement issued Saturday morning, Dr. Nwibubasa alleged that the attackers openly claimed loyalty to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, warning that he would “not leave the hotel alive” for speaking against the Minister in his home community.
Arise News noted that the same crew had spent Friday afternoon covering an official event for Minister Wike in Omoku before being attacked by his alleged supporters just hours later.
Dr. Nwibubasa, who narrowly escaped with his life thanks to a tactical extraction by hotel staff and police, labeled the incident a “dark day for press freedom.”
“This was a clear, deliberate, and premeditated threat to life… a brazen assault on democratic expression. They are showing us signs of what will happen in the 2027 elections. This is a free society; why search for a man for expressing an opinion?” – Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area led a team that safely escorted the Arise TV crew and the former commissioner to the Kala Police Station.
While statements have been taken, the Rivers State Police Command has yet to announce any arrests.
Media rights groups have condemned the “systematic intimidation” of journalists in Rivers State, calling on the Inspector General of Police to ensure the stolen equipment is recovered and the perpetrators prosecuted.
