Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has shared the distressing experience of learning about his father’s kidnapping just two hours before Nigeria’s crucial FIFA World Cup match against Argentina.

Mikel’s Shocking Discovery

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, published on Monday, Mikel revealed that he received a call from his brother informing him that their father had been kidnapped in Nigeria. This was the second time his father had been abducted.

“Kidnappers love my dad,” Mikel said, adding, “No, they love my money.”

A Tough Decision Amidst a Crucial Match

As the captain of Nigeria’s national team, Mikel was preparing to lead the squad in a high-stakes knockout match against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. He faced a difficult decision—whether to disclose the distressing news to his teammates or keep it to himself.

“I didn’t want to let the team down. I was the captain. I thought about it in my room, and then I went out there and played the game,” he said.

Threats from the Kidnappers

Despite playing in the match, Mikel was under immense pressure, receiving threats from the kidnappers, who demanded ransom.

“They called me, knowing I was going into the game. They thought it would push me to pay whatever they wanted. I spoke to them, and they said, ‘We’re going to shoot the [expletive] out of him if you don’t pay.’ My dad was on the phone saying, ‘Just give them the money, they are beating me up,’” Mikel recounted.

Roman Abramovich’s Offer of Help

After the match, Mikel reached out to Chelsea officials, who then informed the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, about the situation.

“Roman being Roman said, ‘Just give me 24 hours. Let me send my people down, and I’ll find your dad.’ I thought, how the [expletive] are you going to do that? Nigeria is a massive country. But he said, ‘Don’t worry about it, just give me 24 hours.’”

Ransom Payment for Father’s Release

Despite Abramovich’s offer, Mikel ultimately had to negotiate and pay a large ransom to secure his father’s release.

“I didn’t know, but I had to negotiate, and I had to pay a lot of money to get him out. But my dad was safe,” he said.

A Life-Changing Experience

Reflecting on the ordeal, Mikel described it as a life-changing experience, acknowledging that such challenges had made him mentally stronger.

His story highlights the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly concerning kidnappings for ransom, which continue to affect many families across the country.