In a remarkable twist of events, Arise News and ThisDay Newspaper named Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as “Minister of the Year” for 2024 on the same night armed political thugs stormed a hotel in Rivers State and seized Arise TV equipment during a live interview discussing the state’s political crisis.
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On the night of Friday, January 2, 2026, thugs invaded Londa Hotel in the Orazi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area while Arise TV was conducting a live interview with former Rivers State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, on the programme News Night.
It was alleged that Nwibubasa was discussing the political situation in the state and raising issues not aligned with the views of Wike when a man at the hotel’s lounge alerted the assailants.
The thugs forced their way through the hotel, threatened the guest and crew, ended the broadcast, and left with a Sony Z280 camera, industrial tripod, wireless microphones and other broadcast accessories, plus some guests’ personal items.
Arise TV and Nwibubasa confirmed that police later arrived and opened an investigation, but as at the time of filing this report, the stolen equipment has not been recovered or voluntarily returned by the attackers.
Meanwhile, Wike formally received the ThisDay Newspaper and Arise News Minister of the Year award at a ceremony held in Lagos as part of ThisDay’s 30th anniversary and Arise News’ 12th anniversary celebrations.
Speaking on the often unfair criticisms he had received from Arise TV and ThisDay Newspaper, the Minister said that the award indicated that they were not biased in their selection.
Wike also used the occasion to call on Arise TV and ThisDay to pay their tenement rates, saying it would be unfair if others were paying and they were not.
While presenting the award to the FCT Minister, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described Wike as one of the very best who is not just a colleague in the cabinet but also someone who is very hardworking and a loyal friend.
The Information Minister added: “And you can see from the array of people who have joined him to receive this award today. Many former governors, many senators, many, many people; I cannot even count them and I am honoured to be the one to present this award today.”
Meanwhile, An Arise TV reporter confirmed moments ago on the station that the camera and gear seized by armed thugs who invaded a hotel in Rivers State during a live interview have been returned, but did not give full details on how they were recovered.
The attack on the Arise TV crew has drawn widespread condemnation, with many describing it as an assault on press freedom and an attempt to silence critical voices discussing Rivers State’s political situation.
Critics have warned that the use of intimidation and violence to suppress dissent could escalate tensions and create an atmosphere of fear. Some have called on the international community to closely monitor developments in the state, alleging that political actors are increasingly treating legitimate public discourse as a threat.
They argue that such actions undermine democratic values, especially when political disagreements are met with aggression rather than dialogue. Many commentators also expressed concern over what they described as a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and unrestrained verbal attacks by political figures, noting that such conduct only deepens divisions and emboldens supporters to resort to unlawful methods.
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