Chelsea midfielder Obi Mikel's father kidnapped by Nigerian gang

[Rogue Trader]

MIKELS WAIT FOR NEWS ON FATHER

John Obi Mikel's brother admits he still has no idea as to the whereabouts of their father, who has been abducted in Nigeria.


Michael Obi has been missing since he left work on Friday afternoon in the Nigerian city of Jos.

On Monday, Chelsea midfielder Mikel gave an emotional interview in which he pleaded for his father's safe return after his management team issued a statement confirming the abduction.

Mikel's elder sibling, Nigerian Premier League player Ebele Obi, has spoken of the emotional turmoil he has had to endure since the disappearance of his father and admitted police are no closer to finding him.

"We still have not heard anything from anybody. It is very, very sad. He went to work on Friday and we have not seen or heard from him since then," Ebele told Supersport.com.


"He (Obi Snr) always drives himself to work and back. That fateful day, we were trying to reach him on his phones without any luck.

"The phones kept ringing but no one was taking the calls. After a while, the phones stopped ringing. That is the situation till this moment.

"We are doing all we can to get him back (but) unfortunately we have not heard anything from anyone and without information, it will be difficult for us to act."

Police in Nigeria have appealed for help in finding Mikel's father, who runs a transport company in Jos, but are yet to be contacted by the kidnappers.

Former Lyn Oslo player Mikel was clearly upset when he gave an interview to Sky Sports News on Monday in which he said: "Please just let him go. He's just an old man, he hasn't done any harm to anyone as far as I know and I don't know why he has been taken.

"Nigeria is the country I am from, I've always tried to help my country in any way I can, playing for my country or anything," he said.

"This is a time where I need the country to help me. Whoever has got my dad, whoever knows where my dad is, please contact me and hopefully he can be released."

Mikel heard about his father's abduction on Sunday morning but still turned out for Chelsea in their 0-0 draw at Stoke later that afternoon.

Mikel is not the first Barclays Premier League player to have a family member abducted in Nigeria.

In July 2008 the elder brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped in Port Harcourt. Nornu Yobo was released after 10 days but it was never made clear whether a ransom was paid.

 

[Rogue Trader]

RANSOM DEMANDED FOR MIKEL'S FATHER

A "sizeable" ransom has been demanded by the kidnappers of John Obi Mikel's father.

But the Sport Entertainment and Media Group denied reports £80,000 was being sought for the release of Michael Obi, who was abducted in his native Nigeria last week.

SEM also confirmed Mikel had made himself available for Chelsea's Barclays Premier League game with West Brom on Saturday, having also played in last weekend's season opener at Stoke after learning of his father's kidnapping.

SEM said in a statement: "SEM advises that reports from Nigeria of an £80,000 ransom demand for the return of John Obi Mikel's father is not true.

"We confirm that Michael Obi has been abducted and that the kidnappers have been in touch with the family and representatives of the family and that discussions for Michael's safe release have begun.

"A sizeable demand has been made but, for security reasons, we are unable to release details of the amount.

"Mikel would like to thank his family, friends, Chelsea FC and his agents for their support and, at this time, it is Mikel's intention to play for Chelsea this weekend, encouraged by his family to do so."

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was reluctant to discuss the kidnapping of Mikel's father in too much detail on Thursday.

He said: "As you know, it's a very, very difficult situation, personal situation.

"I wouldn't like to extend myself because it's a very, very sensitive situation.

"Mikel, of course, made himself available for the game and we are counting on him.

"So he is available to be selected. If we decide, he will play."

News Mikel's father, who runs a transport company, had been kidnapped emerged on Friday after he failed to return home from work in Jos, the capital of Plateau State in central Nigeria.

Mikel appealed for information on his whereabouts on Monday and the family were then contacted by the kidnappers.

Mikel's brother Ebele Obi said in quotes reported on www.supersport.com: "Some people called my mum informing her that they have her husband in custody.

"My mum, while crying, pleaded with the abductors to release her husband."

Tony Obi, eldest son of Michael Obi, confirmed their father's car had also been retrieved.

"We got two calls from the abductors who confirmed that our father is in their custody," he said.

"They told me where to locate my dad's car, which has been found."

In a direct appeal to the kidnappers, Mikel said on Monday: "Please just let him go.

"He's just an old man. He hasn't done any harm to anyone as far as I know and I don't know why he has been taken."

Mikel, 24, is not the first Premier League player to have a family member abducted in Nigeria.

In July 2008, the elder brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped in Port Harcourt.

Nornu Yobo was released after 10 days but it was never made clear whether a ransom was paid.