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Kidnap victim exposes herdsmen ‘Sambisa forest’ hideout in Benue
A kidnap victim, Mr. Akubobi Fabian, has disclosed that armed herdsmen operating in parts of Benue State have established a notorious criminal hideout they refer to as “Sambisa Forest” in Otukpo Local Government Area, where kidnapped victims are held and ransom negotiations conducted, Citizen TV has reported.
Fabian made the revelation after regaining his freedom from captivity, where he spent six days in the hands of kidnappers following an attack along the Ojano Road axis of Otukpo.
Recounting his ordeal, Fabian said he was abducted at about 9pm while returning home after purchasing goods. According to him, gunmen intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in near Ochobo Bridge, opened fire on them, burst 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 narrated .
The victim disclosed that he and other abductees were made to trek throughout the night before arriving at the kidnappers’ camp, where they were held under harsh conditions for six days.
Fabian said the kidnappers demanded N10 million for his release, while some other victims were asked 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.
According to him, the kidnappers repeatedly referred to their hideout as “Sambisa Forest,” a name associated with the 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 further disclosed that the camp is located behind the Idoma Doctors Association building in Otukpo and claimed that the kidnappers openly identified themselves as Fulani herdsmen operating freely within the area.
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 behind the Idoma Doctors Association building.
He expressed concern that despite repeated reports linking the area to criminal activities, kidnappers 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. The victim was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries and was subsequently deposited in a mortuary.
Fabian further revealed that after his release, he and other victims reported the incident to the police.
He also confirmed that one person was killed during the attack that led to his abduction, stating that the gunmen opened fire at a checkpoint before forcing passengers into the forest.
The allegations have heightened concerns over rising 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.
#benuestate #NigeriaPoliceForce #PoliceInvestigation #police #PoliceAction
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