19th August, 2011
Wife of the missing Pa John Obi, Mrs. Rose Obi today opened up at her Rayfield residence, Jos when she debunked press reports that the alleged kidnappers of her husband and father of England based footballer, Mikel Obi had demanded ransom. She also said no one had spoken to any member of the family since they got the news of his disappearance.
She also claimed the family was yet to establish whether he was actually kidnapped or missing.
“We have not had any contact with anyone since he got missing, to suggest we are preparing for negotiation, so we are surprised to watch on TV and newspapers that a 20 million naira or 50 million naira ransoms has been placed upon his head.†Mrs. Obi stated.
P.M.News gathered she spoke on heels of the various media reports alleging that the kidnappers had called the family and demanded for the sum of twenty million naira ransom as a condition for the release of her husband.
She emphasized that the family as at today still could not confirm the whereabouts of her husband.
Similarly, Pa. Obi’s younger brother , Christoper Obi who came to Jos, Plateau state capital in search of his brother when he received the news of his disappearance wondered why his brother, a philanthropist and a father of a prominent footballer could be treated that way, if he was truly kidnapped..
The angry Christoper said he was not sure if his brother was kidnapped because of the popularity of his son, Mikel, adding “ both Mikel and his father have been good to the people over the years.
He called on the police and other Nigerians to help locate his whereabouts.
The Chelsea’s Star ,Mikel Obi’s elder brother Tony Obi also told newsmen that they are seriously worried that no member of the family has seen nor heard any information about his whereabouts till today.
However, while the family claimed that they are yet to establish whether Mikel’s father was missing or kidnapped ,P.M.News learnt that Mikel’s manager, John Shittu has been trying to reach out to some people he wouldn’t want to describe as kidnappers.
But he did not disclose that there was any contact as people have been insinuating.
Last week Friday, Pa Obi went to work and did not return . But after four days later, his Mercedes Benz V-Boot car was found in Shen area of Rayfield.
When the police went there, there was no trace or clue to show whether he was missing or Kidnapped.
But there are indications that he was actually kidnapped.
By Femi Adi/Kaduna