Kidnapped mother of Nigerian footballer, Samuel Kalu, released

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The police in Abia have said that the abducted mother of Nigeria international, Samuel Kalu, has been released.

Juliet Kalu was driving with some of her children in the Okpulu Umuobo area of Aba in Abia State late last week when the unidentified gunmen obstructed her vehicle.

The kidnappers ordered the children out of the car and took Simon Kalu’s mother away to an unknown destination.

Her abductors contacted the family and made a ransom demand of N50 million which they later increased.

Upon her release, Abia police spokesman, Godfrey Ogbonna, told AFP on Tuesday that he did not know if any ransom was paid.

“She was released around midnight (2300 GMT) of Monday and she has been reunited with her people.

“Circumstances surrounding her release have not been disclosed to me for now.

“But we are still investigating the incident in a bid towards ensuring that those who carried out the act are arrested and brought to book,” Mr Ogbonna said.

Simon Kalu plays as a winger for French football club, Bordeaux.

He is not the only Nigerian footballer who has had a parent kidnapped.

Pa Micheal Obi, the father of Super Eages captain, John Obi Mikel, was kidnapped in June 2018.