Tension briefly gripped parts of Port Harcourt after a journalist was attacked while trying to expose criminal activities in one of the city’s known trouble spots.
The victim, Mr. Allwell Ene, a correspondent with Classic FM, had gone to the Garrison area to carry out a personal investigation when he was reportedly confronted and assaulted by suspected hoodlums.
According to the Rivers State Police Command, the attackers were angered after noticing they were being recorded. What started as a routine investigation quickly turned into a dangerous encounter.
Police say the situation could have been worse, but officers from the Olu-Obasanjo Division responded swiftly after receiving the report and were able to rescue the journalist.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Olugenga Adepoju, ordered an immediate investigation and intensified operations in the area.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that 13 suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the attack and other criminal activities around the Garrison axis.
The suspects are believed to be part of groups involved in:
- phone theft
- harassment of residents
- street-level robberies
Security operatives have since increased patrols and coordinated raids in surrounding areas, as authorities work to restore safety and confidence.
For many residents, the incident highlights the risks journalists and ordinary citizens face when confronting crime directly. But it also shows that swift intervention by security agencies can make a difference.
Investigations are ongoing, and the police say efforts are being intensified to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.
For now, Port Harcourt watches closely—hoping this marks the beginning of a stronger crackdown on crime in the area.