A victim of the May 22 attack by suspected armed herdsmen on a police checkpoint at Ojano along the Enugu Road in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, who recently regained his freedom after being kidnapped during the incident, has alleged that the attackers operate a notorious criminal hideout known as “Sambisa Forest” within the area. The attack reportedly claimed the life of a young man.

He claimed that the bandits hold kidnap victims in the said forest while ransom negotiations are conducted and paid before the victims regain their freedom.

The victim, Mr. Fabian Akubobi, made the claim while recounting his six-day ordeal in captivity after he was kidnapped along the Ojano Road axis of Otukpo.

Akubobi, a mortar trader from Orlu in Imo State, said he was abducted at about 9pm while returning home after purchasing goods from Benue.

According to him, the vehicle conveying him and other passengers was intercepted by armed men near Ochobo Bridge. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the vehicle, 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,” Akubobi said.

The freed victim disclosed that he and other abductees trekked through the night for several hours before arriving at the kidnappers’ camp, where they were held under harsh conditions for six days.

He said the kidnappers demanded N10 million for his release, while other captives were allegedly asked to pay up to 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 stated.

Akubobi further alleged that the kidnappers repeatedly referred to their hideout as “Sambisa Forest,” drawing parallels with the infamous insurgent stronghold in northeastern Nigeria.

“The kidnappers called the place they held us Sambisa Forest. That is what they called the forest,” he said.

He said they identified all the armed men that held them captive as herdsmen who operated freely within the area.

Akubobi revealed that following their release, he and other victims reported the incident to the police.

The victim also claimed that ransom was delivered to the bandit behind the Idoma Doctors Association building in Otukpo which was corroborated by citizen journalist, Mr. Meddy Olotu, who interviewed Akubobi shortly after his release, that the same point had been used for ransom collection during previous kidnap incidents in Otukpo.

According to him, “ransom payments in several previous abduction cases, including incidents 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 collections without apparent disruption from security agencies.

“The same location has featured repeatedly in kidnapping cases around Otukpo. Residents have raised concerns over the activities there, yet the criminals appear to operate freely at that point” Olotu said. (Saturday Vanguard)

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