'I was told they would shoot my dad' - Nigeria captain Mikel's father kidnapped during World Cup The former Chelsea midfielder was told of his father's abduction while playing in Russia but remained in the Super Eagles line up The father of Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has been rescued from kidnappers by the police, with the player revealing that he was aware of the incident during the World Cup. According to reports, Micheal Obi and his driver, Ishaya John were abducted along the Makurdi-Enugu road on their way from Jos, last week. The abductors were reported to have demanded N10 million (£21,000/$28,000) as ransom, but the Enugu State Police were on hand to rescue the former Chelsea midfielder's father, his driver and the Toyota Prado jeep they rode in. A statement via the state's Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said: “It was gathered that Pa Michael Obi and his driver were abducted along Makurdi-Enugu Road on his way from Jos in his grey-coloured Toyota Prado jeep with registration number: MUS 604 CG and taken to an unknown destination through the thick forest part of the area. “It was further gathered that the abductors started calling to demand a ransom of N10m before police operatives acted on intelligence information and swooped on them. “In the process of the rescue, a gun duel ensued between police operatives and the kidnappers, which forced the hoodlums to abandon their victims inside the forest and they were promptly rescued." The police spokesman also confirmed that Obi is 'hale and hearty' after a team of doctors from the force's medical unit conducted a checkup. His son, Mikel, led the Super Eagles in Russia where they knocked out after losing to Argentina in their final Group D match. And the Tianjin TEDA midfielder has revealed that he was aware of his father's kidnap ahead of the clash with the South American side but insisted he took part in the game. "I was confused. I did not know what to do, but in the end I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down," Mikel told ESPN. "I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody. "And I did not want to discuss it with the coach because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to the coach or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game. So as much as I wanted to discuss it with the coach, I could not do it." Mikel has represented his country at the last two World Cups and has won 85 caps in total, scoring six goals.<doc-sep>John Obi Mikel played in Nigeria’s World Cup defeat to Argentina despite having just been told his father was being held for ransom and would be shot “instantly” if he alerted the authorities. Mikel revealed on Tuesday he had received a call four hours before kick off in his country’s final Group D game from kidnappers demanding 10 million Nigerian naira (£21,100) for the safe return of Pa Michael Obi. Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel kept quiet about the news, which was only revealed almost a week later when Enugu State Police announced on Monday night that his father had been rescued earlier that day. That followed what the force described as a “gun duel” with the kidnappers. According to KweséESPN, Mikel’s father was then hospitalised having been tortured, with his son considering flying him abroad for further treatment.<doc-sep>John Mikel Obi was told his father had been kidnapped in Nigeria and would be shot if authorities were informed, only four hours before he captained his country in their 2-1 defeat by Argentina in the World Cup on June 26. After being informed by a family member on the bus to the stadium, Mikel chose not to confide in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) so as not to distract his team ahead of a decisive World Cup match. Police freed his father, Pa Michael Obi, on Monday, but he is now in hospital after being tortured by his captors. John Mikel Obi was told his father had been kidnapped in Nigeria before he played Argentina Mikel did not inform Nigeria's federation so he didn't distract his team before the match 'I played while my father was in the hands of bandits,' Mikel told The Guardian. 'I had to suppress the trauma. I took a call four hours before kick-off to tell me what had happened. 'I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. 'I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody. I also did not want to discuss it with the coach (Gernot Rohr) because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to him or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game.' Mikel praised police for their efforts in securing the release of his father. 'I thank the police authorities for their rescue efforts and the support I've received from friends and family members. Mikel's father was freed on Monday but is now in hospital after being tortured by his captors 'Unfortunately, my dad is now in hospital receiving emergency treatment as a result of the torture he received during his capture.' Mikel's father has been kidnapped before, in 2011, and was held for 10 days in the city of Kano. When he was freed, he said he had been 'beaten mercilessly'. Nigera lost the match to Argentina 2-1 at the Saint Petersburg stadium and went out of the World Cup. Mikel played the full 90 minutes.<doc-sep>
MOSCOW – Nigeria soccer captain John Obi Mikel revealed on Tuesday that kidnappers abducted and threatened to murder his father, hours before the team’s final World Cup match last week. The midfielder’s father, Pa Michael Obi, was eventually rescued by Nigerian police in a dramatic gun battle, after a six-day ordeal that involved physical torture, according to the Guardian and KweseESPN. “I played while my father was in the hands of bandits,” Mikel said. “I had to suppress the trauma. I took a call four hours before kick-off to tell me what had happened. I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody.” MORE WORLD CUP: Mikel said on Tuesday that his father was receiving emergency medical treatment in the southeastern region of Nigeria, where the kidnapping took place. Mikel's father was previously kidnapped in 2011. The player was informed of the crime as he headed to the stadium last Tuesday, before Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina that eliminated the team from the tournament. A family member passed on instructions that he was to call the kidnappers on a number that was supplied. Upon making the call, Mikel was told to pay a ransom of around $27,700, or else his father would be killed. The 31-year-old, who spent 11 years at Chelsea in the English Premier league and now plays his club soccer in China with Tianjin TEDA, did not inform the Nigerian Football Federation or his teammates of his father’s plight. “I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play,” he added. “I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or NFF staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew. “I also did not want to discuss it with (coach Gernot Rohr) because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to him or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game. As much as I wanted to discuss it with the coach, I could not. “Thankfully, my father was safely released.” Enugu State Police superintendent Ebere Amaraizu revealed that “operatives acted on intelligence information and swooped in on (the abductors).” “In the process of the rescue, a gun duel ensued between police operatives and the kidnappers which forced the hoodlums to abandon their victims inside the forest,” Amaraizu said. The NFF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.