Sports
Security Agencies Search For Mikel’s Father
Nigeria’s security agencies have cloaked Jos in a security net as the search for Michael Obi, the abducted father of football star, John Mikel Obi gathers pace.
Desmond Agwu, Regional Head of the State Security Service (SSS), told newsmen that a thorough sweep of the state was initiated as soon as information about the abduction was received.
“I met with my division heads immediately we got information and I can tell you that we have started sweeping the whole state.
“We have sent Muslim operatives to the Muslim areas, and Christian operatives to the Christian areas. “We believe that by the Grace of God, he will be found.”
Plateau state Police Commissioner Emmanuel Dipo Ayeni also confirmed that the police were in the hunt for Michael Obi.
“We are still searching to find his location,” Ayeni said.
On Monday, Mikel made a televised plea on SkySports for his father’s abductors to get in touch.
“All I can say is that I’m from Nigeria and I have always tried to help the country in whatever way I can by playing for the country, serving the country in whatever way that I can. This is the time for my country to help me.
“So, I just got to say that whoever has got my dad, whoever knows where my dad is should please contact me and hopefully, he’ll be released,” an emotional Mikel said.
The kidnapping of Obi senior is the third high profile case involving football. Everton defender, Joseph Yobo’s brother Nornu was kidnapped in July 2008, and released after 10 days.
A month earlier, it was Enyimba chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu who was abducted, but later released.
A year ago, Nigeria goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama’s family narrowly escaped only because they had fortuitously moved their travel dates to a day earlier.
Instead, the goalkeeper’s cousin, who was the only one at home at the time, was abducted and only released when he told his abductors that he was no relative of the player.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.