Mikel Obi's father rescued by police in Enugu State following gun duel with kidnappers

SUPER Eagles skipper Mikel Obi's father has been rescued by security forces after being kidnapped by armed gunmen along with his driver in Enugu State last week while on his way from the Plateau State capital Jos.

According to the Enugu State Police Command, Pa Michael Obi was rescued by  its operatives in the Ninth Mile Division. He and his driver, simply identified as Ishaya John, were freed at about 2.30pm yesterday in Egede Udi Forest, along the old Egede Affa road in Enugu State.

Apparently, Pa Obi and his driver were abducted along the Makurdi-Enugu Road last week on his way from Jos in his grey Toyota Prado SUV and whisked away to an unknown destination. According to the police, the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, hale and hearty and police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu, said Pa Obi and the driver had since been reunited with their respective families.

Mr Amaraizu said: “The abductors started calling to demand a ransom of N10m ($27,734) before the operatives acting on intelligence swooped on them where a gun duel ensued, which forced the hoodlums to abandon their victims inside the forest and they were promptly rescued. At the office of the commissioner of police, team of doctors from the police medical unit conducted medical check on Pa Obi and also confirmed that he is hale and hearty.

“The state police command is appealing to members of the public particularly hospital owners and operators to watch out for any one with injuries or wounds believed to be that of bullets for prompt necessary actions just as full scale investigations have commenced into the incident.”