By Fabian oga

A former kidnap victim, Mr. Akubobi Fabian, has alleged that kidnappers operating within Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State maintain a forest hideout they refer to as “Sambisa Forest,” where abducted persons are held while ransom negotiations take place.

Fabian made the allegation after regaining freedom following six days in captivity after an attack along the Ojano Road axis of Otukpo. Security agencies had not officially responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.

A former kidnap victim, Mr. Akubobi Fabian, has alleged that kidnappers operating in parts of Benue State have established a criminal hideout within a forested area of Otukpo Local Government Area.

Fabian made the claim while recounting his six-day ordeal in captivity following an abduction along the Ojano Road corridor.

According to the victim, he was returning home at about 9 p.m. after purchasing goods when armed men reportedly intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in near Ochobo Bridge. He alleged that the attackers opened fire on the vehicle, damaged one of its tyres and forced passengers into a nearby forest.

“We initially thought they were ordinary armed robbers who wanted to collect money, but they marched us deep into the forest,” Fabian reportedly said.
He stated that the abductees trekked through the night before arriving at a camp where they were allegedly held under difficult conditions for six days.

Fabian further claimed that the kidnappers demanded N10 million for his release, while other captives were reportedly asked to pay as much as N20 million.

According to him, his family eventually secured his release after raising N1 million.

The victim alleged that the kidnappers repeatedly referred to the location where they held victims as “Sambisa Forest,” a name associated with a notorious insurgent enclave 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.

He also claimed that the camp was located behind the Idoma Doctors Association building in Otukpo and alleged that some of the kidnappers identified themselves as Fulani herdsmen.

The allegations were echoed by citizen journalist Meddy Olotu, who interviewed the victim following his release.

Olotu claimed that the same location identified by Fabian has repeatedly been used as a ransom collection point by kidnappers operating along the Ojano Road corridor and surrounding communities.

According to him, ransom payments linked to several previous abduction cases, including kidnappings involving students and travellers, were allegedly made at the same location.

He expressed concern that despite repeated reports linking the area to criminal activities, kidnappers reportedly continue to use the location for ransom negotiations and collections without apparent disruption.

Olotu also recalled a recent attack in the Ojano area during which a man was reportedly shot by gunmen. According to his account, the victim was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.

Fabian further disclosed that after his release, he and other victims reported the incident to the police.

He also confirmed that one person was reportedly killed during the attack that led to his abduction, stating that the gunmen opened fire before forcing passengers into the forest.

The allegations have heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Benue South, particularly along the Otukpo–Ojano corridor, where residents have repeatedly complained of increasing cases of kidnapping and violent attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not officially responded to the claims regarding the existence of the alleged criminal hideout.