• Premier League

John Obi Mikel's father found alive

ESPN staff
August 22, 2011
John Obi Mikel has been praised by his Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas © PA Photos
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Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel's father has been found alive after being kidnapped in Nigeria.

Mikel's father went missing earlier in August and a ransom was demanded by his captors last week.

It is not known whether any ransom was paid, but the player's father was found alive in the Nigerian city of Kano on Monday.

Michael Obi told the BBC that he had been kidnapped in Jos and transferred to Kano.

"I am very stressed," he said.

The player's management company confirmed the news on Monday evening.

"Earlier today Michael Obi called his family to advise them that he had been released by his abductors," Sport Entertainment & Media Group (SEM) said in a statement.

"SEM have waited until now to release this information, to ensure that Michael was safe.

"John Obi Mikel would like to thank everyone in Nigeria, his family and friends, Chelsea FC and their fans and his agents for their total support during this terrible time."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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