Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi’s father missing John Mikel Obi’s father has gone missing in the Nigerian city of Jos.

Michael Obi, who runs an interstate transport company, did not return home from work on Friday evening and has not been seen since.

Calls to his cellphone went unanswered all of Friday, and by Saturday, the phone was no longer reachable.

Mikel was informed on Saturday morning shortly before traveling with the Chelsea squad for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Stoke.

It is not clear as yet if it is an abduction, the player's manager John sh*ttu told KickOffNigeria.com.

“At the moment we have not heard from Mikel's father, or anyone else, so we don't know what it is. At this point, we only consider him missing,” sh*ttu told KickOffNigeria.com.

Although the midfielder saw out all 90 minutes of Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Stoke, sh*ttu said the 24-year old is devastated.

“He us totally devastated. We were not sure whether to tell him before the game. But after speaking to the manager, and Mike Emenalo, we agreed that he had a right to be informed if such a serious incident.

“He was under a lot of stress, but he showed a lot of character and mental strength to play against Stoke.”

http://www.kickoff.com/mobilen/content/article/23652

Feel sorry for Mikel. Must be tough trying to concentrate on playing when your father is missing. I really hope things turns out alright.

Hope he turns up ok, if it was me I don't think I'd have been able to play.

Best wishes for Mikel...could never have been able to tell by the way he played today.

Thoughts are with him

Makes his performance on Sunday, which was one of his best in some time, even more impressive. Tremendous courage. I can only hope that he is found safe for the sake of John and the Obi family.

Really feel for the guy, must be a living hell. How did he go out and play, and still put it a solid performance, must be some real team spirit in our ranks.

I really hope everything will turn out ok for Obi and his father

Really impressed how well Mikel played even though he probably really couldn´t focus on football.

My prayers are with his father...

Jesus, horrible news for him and his family. Puts into perspective his display on sunday also, no way could I have played at all.

It must have been tough playing at that level with something like this on his mind. Apart from the usual errors i thought he played pretty well. That shot he took was a beauty shame it was met by a good save.

wow..... fairplay for playing against Stoke then, and he almost scored!

Horrible situation, hope it has a happy ending

Just really what everyone else has said :( hope he's found alive and well soon.

Best wishes for him, hope it turns out with a good ending.

Statement from @thesemgroup: John Obi Mikel's father has been abducted in Nigeria. Poor lad, poor dad, poor family http://t.co/0wMAyR5

Must be horrible for Mikel, all thoughts are with him.

Edited August 15, 201114 yr by Andreas

Truly devastating news, the amount of dedication it must have taken to play yesterday is staggering as well. Here's hoping that he is found safe and sound.

Best Wishes.

Im surprised that Mikel hasnt moved over his family. Im sure his dad will be ok once Mikel pays what his kidnappers are asking for.

I can't begin to imagine how difficult it must have been to push all this to the back of his mind and get on with what is after all, only a game of football.

Hope his father is found or released soon, safe and well.

Mikel's in good hands though, Drogba and Kalou have been in that situation before as have the Toure brothers.

fair play to him...hope his father is okay

Im surprised that Mikel hasnt moved over his family. Im sure his dad will be ok once Mikel pays what his kidnappers are asking for.

..

Edited August 15, 201114 yr by german-blue

Terrible news, I really hope this has a happy ending.

I applaud JOM for his mental strength to play against Stoke, but I hope he can take time and get this sorted out. Football pales in comparison to something like this

That's just terrible. Admire the strength of character that enabled Mikel to play the match after hearing the news.

I hope things will work out and his father is returned safe. The club I'm sure will do everything in their power to help.

he's goin to be on sky sports news shortly to make an appeal.

He's on now