Mikel Obi: Father's Kidnappers Wanted $4 Billion - Police

SAN FRANCISCO, August 23, (THEWILL) – The Kidnappers of Pa Michael Obi, the father of Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi had demanded $4 billion (Four billion US dollars) as ransom to set him free, Police said in Jos, Plateau State Tuesday, on a day the alleged kidnappers were paraded before journalists.

Mikel earns about $5.8 million yearly according to Forbes Magazine and ranks 7th in earnings amongst African soccer stars playing abroad.

Pa Michael was rescued on Monday afternoon in Kano by a combined team of policemen.

Plateau State Police Commissioner, Mr. Dipo Ayeni who spoke to journalists inside his office said two soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task Force in Jos were arrowheads of the kidnap.

The soldiers, Sgt. Victor Essien with service no: 96NA/43/11213, and Pte Jaduwa Thloma with service no: 03NA/54/5527 have been detained alongside nine other persons suspected to have played a part in the abduction.

“Mr. Obi was drugged by the kidnappers immediately they got to Kano. He lost consciousness and he did not know where he was again. In the morning of August 6, Obi woke up and found himself sleeping on a small foam. One Mr. Ifeanyi Hyacinth asked him to give them $4bn, which they described as chicken change to Mikel and his club, Chelsea.

Pa Michael Obi.
“For five days, he was not allowed to talk to any member of his family but on the fifth day, he was allowed to speak to one of his sons, Tony. He was told to tell Tony that he had been moved to Lagos and that he had been shot in the leg and that the leg had started getting rotten. He was under pressure and torture to get them $4bn for 12 days,” Ayeni said.