The operatives of Nigerian Police Force in Enugu State have said that it has rescued John Mikel Obi's father from the kidnappers' den in a community in the state.
Mikel's father after his release (Photo: Ihuoma Chiedozie)
Pa Michael Obi, the father of Super Eagles Captain, Mikel Obi, has been yet again rescued from kidnappers by the Enugu State Police Command on Monday, after the kidnappers were said to have demanded N10m as ransom from Obi’s family.
In a statement released to the media, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said that Pa Obi and his driver, John Ishaya, were abducted on Makurdi-Enugu Road on June 29.
According to PUNCH Metro, police said Mikel’s father, was on his way from Jos, Plateau State, in a grey colour Toyota Prado Sports Utility Vehicle with number plate, MUS 604CG, when he was kidnapped.
The Police spokesman said around 2pm on Monday, operatives of the 9th Mile Division of the command rescued Pa Obi and his driver in a forest in the Udi area of Enugu, adding that the rescue was preceded by a gun battle between the police and the kidnappers, who escaped after being overpowered by the security agents.
Amaraizu said, “The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, through its operatives rescued Pa Michael Obi and his driver, one Ishaya John, unhurt in Egede Udi forest on Monday, July 2, 2018, around 2.30pm along old Egede-Affa Road, Enugu.
“They were rescued hale and hearty and pa Michael Obi and the driver have been reunited with their families.
“Pa Obi and and his driver were abducted along Markurdi-Enugu Road on his way from Jos and taken to a thick forest.
“The abductors called to demand a ransom of N10m before policemen, acting on intelligence information, swooped on them, after which a gun duel ensued which forced the hoodlums to abandon their victims inside the forest and fled.”
The police spokesman added that Pa Obi commended the police for the rescue. “He thanked the Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, and the operatives, saying he is happy with the operatives’ performance,” the statement read.
The PPRO added that a team of doctors from the police medical unit had conducted medical checks on Pa Obi confirmed that he was hale and hearty.
The command urged members of the public, particularly hospital workers, to watch out for anyone with bullet wounds, noting that such person could be part of the fleeing kidnap gang that abducted Pa Obi and his driver.
This would be the second time that Pa Obi was kidnapped. He was first kidnapped in August 2011.