Mikel’s father rescued in Kano…Abductors now in police net

Posted by admin Soccer, Sports, Top Stories Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Mikel & father, Michael Obi

The abducted father of Chelsea and Nigerian star, John Mikel Obi, has been found alive in Kano, Nigeria. Michael Obi was last seen on August 12, 2011 in the city of Jos, where his car was found last Wednesday. The Obi senior told BBC that he was kidnapped in Jos before being transferred to Kano.

“I am very stressed,” he said.
His abductors are now in police custody in the northern Nigerian city. BBC’s Yusuf Ibrahim Yakasai said Mr. Obi’s face showed signs of beatings he believes he endured during his ordeal.

“Earlier today (yesterday), Michael Obi called his family to advise them that he had been released by his abductors,” Sport Entertainment & Media Group (SEM) broke the good news on Monday evening.

“SEM has waited until now to release this information, to ensure that Michael was safe. John Obi Mikel would like to thank everyone in Nigeria, his family and friends, Chelsea FC, his fans and his agents for their total support during the terrible time.”
During the time of his father’s disappearance, Mikel continued playing for Chelsea, starting matches against both Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

“I wouldn’t want to let the club down and if I didn’t play that game, I think my mum would be very sad,” the 24-year old said after playing against Stoke.
On Friday, Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, hailed the “amazing mental toughness” shown by the midfielder in the wake of his father’s abduction.

It was informed that the alleged kidnappers told the family where the car was dropped, but Mrs Obi denied that. She rather said that people who knew friends of the family spotted the car and contacted them.
Mrs Obi told how she had searched for her husband from the point she realised he was missing, adding that the day her hubby got missing was not different from any other.

“Nothing happened that day, he didn’t quarrel with anybody. He went to afternoon mass, which he used to attend everyday,” she said. “But after I closed my shop, I came back home and did not see the car.
“I picked my phone and called his number. The phone was ringing on and on but there was no response from his end. So, I called my children and asked them the whereabouts of their father.”

Mikel made himself available for Chelsea’s last weekend English Premier League game against West Bromwich Albion.
“I said I would like to play, I wouldn’t want to let the club down and if I didn’t play that game I think my mum would be very sad, she told me to go out there and be strong and make sure I do well in the game,” the 24-year-old told Sky Sports News.
The Chelsea player’s agent, John Ola Shittu had said that everybody in the family was hopeful.
“It was tough for the young man,” Shittu said.

Kidnapping is a common occurrence in Nigeria. Footballers and their families are increasingly being targeted. In July 2008, the elder brother of Nigeria and Everton defender, Joseph Yobo, was abducted in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital where kidnapping for ransom has been rampant.
However, it was not clear if a ransom was paid to get the Nigeria captain’s brother out of the hook. But Nornu Yobo was released after being held for almost two weeks.

-Sunwp_posts