Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel thanks police following father’s kidnap ordeal
Pa Michael Obi was abducted while travelling in south-east Nigeria.
Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has offered his thanks to police and all those involved in helping secure the safe release of his father who had been kidnapped.
The former Chelsea midfielder told the Guardian and BBC Sport of the ordeal, which was revealed to him shortly before Nigeria’s final World Cup group match against Argentina in Saint Petersburg.
Mikel’s father, Pa Michael Obi, was abducted while travelling in south-east Nigeria. Enugu State Police Command said he had been rescued on July 2. It had been reported a ransom payment of around £21,000 was made.
While the police statement said Mikel’s father was “hale and hearty”, it had been reported he was beaten during the ordeal and was being treated in hospital.
In a post on his personal Twitter account, Mikel said: “I would like to thank the Police authorities involved in ensuring the safe return of my father after the ordeal this week.
“I will (sic) also like to thank everyone for their kind words of support.
“He is now recuperating with family. My family and I are grateful.”
The midfielder, who left Chelsea to join Chinese club Tianjin TEDA on a free transfer during January 2017, said he had been “emotionally distraught” ahead of the match against Argentina on June 26, unable to tell the coaches or Nigeria Football Federation staff, after it was made clear his father would have been shot if anyone was alerted.
Mikel played the full 90 minutes of the match against Argentina, with the late 2-1 defeat resulting in Nigeria failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup.
“He was kidnapped along Markurdi-Enugu expressway but we rescued him today 2nd July, 2018 around 14:00hrs at Egede in Udi LGA of Enugu State. He is hale and hearty.”
Enugu State Police Command also retweeted a smiling picture of Pa Michael Obi taken at their headquarters, along with one of Ebele Obi, elder brother to Mikel.
Pa Michael Obi had been kidnapped previously during 2011, when Mikel was at Chelsea, before being freed following a police raid.
