Mikel a true patriot–Dalung

The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung has condemned the kidnapping of Pa Michael
John Obi, father of the Super Eagles’ Captain John Mikel Obi.

Barrister Dalung said the emotional and psychological trauma caused the player and his father is
unimaginable.

On the night of Super Eagles’ Group D encounter with Argentina at the ongoing World Cup in Russia, Obi
received the news of his father’s kidnap by hoodlums along the Makurdi-Enugu road on their way from Jos
but still went ahead to play for the country.

The Minister commended the former Chelsea star for his show of patriotism during the match following
his courageous display of loyalty to the country despite the sad news of his father’s abduction.

Barrister Dalung described Mikel as a brave player who did not allow the sad news to distract him from
putting in his best for the country while thanking the Nigerian Police for rescuing the father.

“It is very unfortunate that on the night Mikel Obi was playing for Nigeria, kidnappers decided to
emotionally traumatize the young man by kidnapping his father. I can imagine what was going on in his
mind while he was playing for the country knowing that his father was unsafe somewhere in the
kidnappers’ hideout.

It is disheartening to know that on the night the players were putting in their best to qualify Nigeria
for the second round of the World Cup, evil men had in captivity, the father of one of the team’s
greatest players.

We salute Mikel Obi for his courage during the game and pray for the father’s quick recovery and
stability from the trauma.

“I also thank the Nigerian Police for their quick response to the incident and their prompt rescue of
Pa Michael John Obi,” Dalung said.

Pa Obi has since been taken home to recover after he was rescued by the Nigerian Police.