16th August, 2011
Police in Plateau State, North central Nigeria, say they will do everything to find the missing father of the Super Eagles and Chelsea of Londonâ€
Mikelâ€
Nigerian police confirmed Mikelâ€
“The case of the man was reported to us on Saturday morning,†Emmanuel Ayeni, Police Commissioner for Plateau State, told AFP.
He said police had raised “a crack team of detectives to look for the man,†stressing that it was “premature to advance any motive for the abduction.†Ayeni said no one had claimed responsibility.
“We are seriously on the lookout for Mr. Obi. We appeal to anyone with useful information on his whereabouts to contact the security agencies,†Ayeni said.
Meanwhile, public condemnation has continued to trail the missing of Mikelâ€
Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is also worried about the sad incident, describing it as unfortunate and uncalled for if it ended up another case of kidnapping which has been rocking the nation in the past few years.
First vice president of the federation, Chief Mike Umeh, said the football house is liaising with the countryâ€
“We are in constant touch with the security operatives. All we can do right now is to urge all Nigerians to pray for the old man and Mikel because the player is in a terrible situation right now,†he said.
Also, former coach of the Super Eagles and FIFA instructor, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, said it is sad to know that Mikel that has done so much for the country is being targeted for this type of inhuman act.
“I want to plead to those that are holding the man against his wish that they should please release Mikelâ€
Jos has been hit by waves of clashes between Christian and Muslim ethnic groups that have left hundreds dead in recent years, but kidnappings have not been known to occur there.
Scores of abductions have occurred in the oil-producing Niger Delta region in the countryâ€
Mikel is not the first Premier League player to have a family member go missing in Nigeria, Africaâ€
In July 2008, the elder brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped in the oil city of Port Harcourt, the capital of the southern Rivers State in the Niger Delta.
Nornu Yobo was released after 10 days but it was never made clear whether a ransom was paid.