Abductors make ransom demand for release of John Obi Mikel’s father

Abductors have made a US$ 130,000 ransom demand for the release of Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi’s father (pictured), Nigerian police said.

Michael Obi, who runs a transport firm in Jos, has not been seen since Friday.

On Tuesday Obi’s family were called twice by the abductors who told them Michael had been moved to Lagos.

They contacted the family again on Wednesday to make the ransom demand, but police have not revealed if further negotiations are taking place.

In the second call on Tuesday the abductors gave the family the location of the car which Michael Obi was driving when he went missing.

The vehicle was then found in Jos, but the Obi family declined to say where exactly it was recovered.

Speaking before the ransom demand, Babawo Muhamed, a close friend of the Chelsea player, told reporters: “Yes, they found his car and spoke with them which is a positive step forward.

“Hopefully, they will be in touch again. Mikel has been greatly affected by this. But he is holding on.”

The family held a prayer vigil at the family compound on Monday.

Obi was told of his father’s abduction before Sunday’s goalless Premier League draw between Chelsea and Stoke City, but decided to play.

“I’ve always tried to help the country. This is the time for the country to help me,” Mikel said on Monday.

“Whoever knows where my dad is should please contact me.”

It is not the first time a relative of a Premier League player has been abducted in Nigeria. Former Everton defender Joseph Yobo’s brother was kidnapped in 2008.

Source: BBC