Kidnapped Nigerian footballers freed

Two Nigerian footballers, one of whom is a Super Eagles international star, have been released after being kidnapped on Sunday. 

Ekundayo Ojo, a midfielder for Enyimba FC, and Benjamin Iluyomade of the Abia Comets were taken on Sunday when their vehicle was attacked on the Benin-Owo expressway. A third player, Emmanuel James, was also in the car but managed to escape.

Enyimba FC have tweeted their delight at the pair’s release, saying “Our midfielder man, Dayo Ojo has regained freedom from his kidnappers”. 

Ojo represented Nigeria on the world stage in the 2018 African Nations Championship, as well as playing for the nation at the U-17 level in 2010. 

The news of the kidnapping came just hours after two other footballers from Rangers International - Emmanuel Ogbu and Ifeanyi George - died in a car crash. 

Kidnapping continues to be a major security concern for Nigeria as authorities announced that 685 cases were recorded in the first three months of 2019. 

Photo: BBC