Sportinglife.ng can reveal that the kidnappers who held the mother of Nigeria international, Samuel Kalu hostage for days were paid an additional N10m before she was released on Monday night. Cumulatively, it cost N13m to secure Mrs Ozuruonye Juliet Kalu’s release.
Sportinglife.ng exclusively reported on Monday that the kidnappers received N3m which they purportedly said was given to the wrong person, thus forcing the payment of N10m.
Interestingly Kalu’s French Ligue club, Bordeaux paid an undisclosed amount of money to the Super Eagles player which translates to the equivalent of his one month salary for him to settle the kidnappers and release his mother.
It is true that she was released to her family,” Godfrey Ogbonna of Abia State Police told BBC Sport . “I can also confirm that investigations are ongoing to arrest those responsible. We will make a public statement as soon as more details emerge but for now she is safe and reunited with her family at home.
Nigeria captain, John Mikel Obi’s father was kidnapped for the second time in seven years in June last year before he was released after a ransom of N10m was paid.
In 2008, the brother of former Everton defender, joseph Yobo was kidnapped before being released two weeks later.
Read Also: Breaking News: Abducted mother of Eagles striker Samuel Kalu released
Kidnappings -more often of oil workers, the rich and famous are a regular occurrence in Nigeria, but footballers and their families are increasingly being targeted.