A kidnap survivor, Mr. Akubobi Fabian, has alleged that armed herders operating in Benue State have established a criminal enclave they call “Sambisa Forest” in Otukpo Local Government Area, where abducted victims are reportedly held while ransom negotiations take place.
Fabian made the claim shortly after regaining his freedom from kidnappers who held him captive for six days following an attack along the Ojano Road corridor in Otukpo.
Narrating his experience, the victim said he was returning home after buying goods when gunmen ambushed the vehicle he was travelling in at about 9 p.m. near Ochobo Bridge.
He said the attackers shot at the vehicle, punctured one of its tyres and forced passengers into the bush.
“We initially thought they were ordinary armed robbers who wanted to collect money, but they marched us deep into the forest,” he said.
According to Fabian, the abductees trekked through the night before arriving at the kidnappers’ camp, where they endured harsh conditions throughout their six-day captivity.
He revealed that the kidnappers demanded N10 million for his freedom, while some of the other captives were ordered to pay as much as N20 million.
“They asked me to bring N10 million. Some people were asked to pay N20 million. My brother eventually raised N1 million, and after six days they released me,” he explained.
Fabian further disclosed that the abductors consistently referred to their hideout as “Sambisa Forest,” a name widely associated with the notorious insurgent stronghold in northeastern Nigeria.
“The kidnappers told us they call the place Sambisa Forest. That is what they called the forest where they kept us,” Fabian stated.
The victim also alleged that the camp is situated behind the Idoma Doctors Association building in Otukpo. He claimed the kidnappers openly identified themselves as Fulani herders and operated freely within the area.
The allegations were corroborated by citizen journalist Meddy Olotu, who interviewed Fabian after his release.
Olotu alleged that the location identified by the victim has repeatedly served as a collection point for ransom payments linked to kidnappings along the Ojano Road axis and neighbouring communities.
He further claimed that several previous abduction cases, including those involving students and travellers, had ransom payments delivered at the same spot behind the Idoma Doctors Association building.
Expressing concern over the development, Olotu said the area has continued to feature in reports of criminal activity, yet kidnappers allegedly carry out negotiations and collect ransoms there without interruption.
He also recalled a recent incident in Ojano where a man was reportedly shot by gunmen. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries and was deposited in a mortuary.
Fabian said he and other victims reported the incident to the police after regaining their freedom.
He also confirmed that one person lost his life during the attack that led to his abduction, noting that the gunmen opened fire near a checkpoint before herding passengers into the forest.
The claims have renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Benue South, particularly along the Otukpo-Ojano route, where residents have repeatedly raised alarm over increasing incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks.
As of the time of this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official response to the allegations concerning the existence of the alleged hideout.
