Abduction:Police Vow To Rescue Obodo

Nigeria police have said that they were working to ensure Christian Obodo’s release without the payment of a ransom demanded by his abductors.

The midfielder was abducted by unknown gunmen in  Warri last Saturday.

A family friend told Tidesports source that the kidnappers have issued a ransom demand for nearly US$200,000.

“We are making all diligent efforts to ensure that he is rescued unhurt,” said  police spokesman, Charles Muka.

Obodo, who was on loan at Italian side Lecce from rivals Udinese last season, was driving alone early last  Saturday morning when he was abducted.

It is not the first time a footballer has been kidnapped in Nigeria.

International defender, Onyekachi Apam was kidnapped by armed men who took his car before releasing him.

Nornu Yobo, elder brother of Everton defender Joseph, was famously kidnapped in 2008 in Port Harcourt.

Nornu was released after 10 days but it was never made clear whether a ransom was paid.

Last year, the father of Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi was also seized in Jos, north-central Nigeria.

Nigerian police, however, rescued Micheal Obi senior from his abductors days later.