There are no clues yet to Saturday’s early morning kidnapping of the older brother of Nigeria and Everton football star Joseph Yobo in the country’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, the police said. “We have not received any message from any group (claiming responsibility for the kidnapping), and also no ransom demand has been made,” said the spokesperson for the Rivers state police command, Rita Abbey. Norum Yobo was kidnapped by unknown gunmen while returning from a night club about 5 a.m. local time Saturday, along with two others who have since been released. There are fears that his continued detention by the kidnappers may not be unconnected to his brother’s profile. Yobo, who has played severally for Nigeria in the current joint qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup, is believed to be currently holidaying in Nigeria from England, where he played for premiership side Everton last season. Kidnapping for ransom has become common in the restive oil region, with the government blaming the development on criminals. Once the demanded ransom is paid, the abducted persons are usually released unharmed.
