Premier League - Everton offer Yobo assistance

Eurosport - Mon, 07 Jul 09:57:00 2008

Everton defender Joseph Yobo has been given extended leave of absence after his brother was kidnapped.

FOOTBALL Joseph Yobo Nigeria and Everton - 0

Gunmen in Nigeria abducted Norum Yobo as he made his way home from a nightclub in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Ransom demands usually follow kidnappings in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of the country, although no contact has yet been established with the offenders.

The defender is on holiday in Lagos and was due to return to pre-season training at the Merseyside club next week.

Everton spokesman Ian Ross said the thoughts of everyone connected with the club were with Yobo, 27, and his family.

"We have sent a couple of messages to Joseph offering any assistance that we can provide him," Ross revealed.

"He had been given leave to return late to pre-season training next week because of his international duties for Nigeria this summer. Obviously, this family misfortune means he will stay out there for the foreseeable future.

"Things like this put football and life in perspective.

"The thoughts of the players, management, staff, fans and everyone connected to Everton FC are with Joseph and his family at this time.

"We can only hope that Joseph's brother is released without harm."

Details of the abduction were confirmed by Cyril Dumite, deputy chairman of the People's Democratic Party, the ruling party in Rivers State.

Norum Yobo was one of three men taken from their car at gunpoint - the other two, Barry C Lakara and Ifeanyi Nwa, were later released.

The kidnapping took place in the B-Line area of Port Harcourt at around 4am yesterday after the trio had attended the Illusion Nite Club.

Police said that the kidnappers have yet to make contact with them.

Nigeria has seen a rise in activities - including kidnapping - by militants acting against the oil industry in the country in a bid to secure a larger share of petroleum funds.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 21 - 40 of 40

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated
  1. bad newsssss,4rm this great country.niger delta need total bumbarment 4rm our sojas,enough of this slap on the face,the country name is nigeria,not niger delta,they cant hold the whole country to ransome.(fire burn them.......)

    From zona4real2007, on Tue 8 Jul 2:56AM
  2. It's unfortunite that the Kindnapper take, Please the people that did that act they release him beacuse his brother is not a politician neither he is too, that call for action because of the creedy politician an inocent people are soferry for it. Those creedy politician should please give what belong to them back

    From nmecha4482, on Mon 7 Jul 9:31AM
  3. Almost every Nigerian is a mini local government- u provide ur own water, same for electricity and even security. Still we pay taxes even when they are duplicated and we make billions from crude oil. They say a people deserve the type of leadership they get--- food for thought for us Nigerians. But i know we can show our resolve by going out to demonstrate peacefully. Silence i believe Yaradua and his cabal are interpreting it to mean all is well. NLC arise, this is the time to fight for a just cause. As for Yobo, pls call the President or make an attempt to reach him, your brother was kidnapped because u are a national figure and he should see to his release.

    From viovoplaysystems, on Mon 7 Jul 8:50AM
  4. It is really sad. Yobo is not a politician nor does he work for any of the oil giants. This is another sad commentry on this great country that is being raped by her leaders who are bereft of ideas on how to move the country forward. Yar-Adua is just there doing nothing, it is a shame what is going on in Africa, take a look at that senile "thing" in Zimbabwe and u will get my drift. I am just waiting for those good for nothing football association to talk about our boys not being patriotic. Patriotism my foot. If u keep payin ransom, then they keep coming for more- cant we take a pause and think?

    From viovoplaysystems, on Mon 7 Jul 8:18AM
  5. what a shame wha a shame how would this same player be expected to come play for nigeria after this, i hope those responsible are caught and ex-------. Martins was shot to death not too long ago. I also read one about okocha relative been kidnapped also. All those rogues in @#$% wake up and see the big picture. You are all giving us a bad, it is bad enough that the one we have stinks already.

    From ogunbameru s, on Mon 7 Jul 12:11AM
  6. I am guessing there will be a randsom demand soon, Joseph will pay it, and he will be released, and the men hopefully arrested, and there face will be allover the TV for people to spit at

    From Stevie G, on Sun 6 Jul 11:56PM
  7. Naija I Hail Every!!!
    Abeg D Person Wen Kidnap our Assistant Skipo Bros. Na beg I dey Beg make him free the young man now!!!
    Abi na bad thing say person dey represent him country come still dey use make small money for Abroad?

    Pleae we are really more than this (sleeping Giants) we've got resources to make everyone of us comfortable if not for the Politicians that wont let things go well. ( Fire Burn Them)
    Abeg make una free Yobo Bros Abeg

    Naija No go Die.

    From jobbritty, on Sun 6 Jul 9:52PM
  8. it's so unfortun8 that this gr8 country has degener8ed this much. Thats d result of greed in all sphere of our existence: BLAME THE FOOLISH POLITICIANS!!!
    Yobo, I hope ur bro comes out of this safe & sound.
    Everton, thumbs up.
    It's really a shame on Nigeria, d sleeping giant!!!

    From Shawn, on Sun 6 Jul 7:10PM
  9. Great compassion by the Club and we can only hope that Norum is returned unharmed.

    From roger.williams20, on Sun 6 Jul 6:19PM
  10. As a Liverpool supporter can I add my best wishes to the family........

    Some things are more important than Football

    From kndltn, on Sun 6 Jul 5:38PM
  11. Nigeria na wa,so rich both human and minerias reasours but insecurity,bribry,arm robbery,corruption e.t.c are our darily food. pls God help us.
    I beg Yobo when your brother come out,advise him to party outside 9jer or compose himself cos this country i,m not sure when and how things will be at least better. God bless us. ninja domination

    From chiedu e, on Sun 6 Jul 4:09PM
  12. I pray that our good God will see him out of that net and those kidnappers,those theives will be in shame. He will come back home safe. all the best Yobo. Terry from Spain.

    From kings u, on Sun 6 Jul 3:45PM
  13. i think these people should channel there energy into good things in life. its just shows how thick these people are messing with peoples lives an emotions stealing people for cash how pathetic. my thoughs are with all the yobo family.

    From Jasoptimum851, on Sun 6 Jul 3:37PM
  14. Nigeria Nigeria, the big for nothn gaint of Africa, security can only be found with those who govern.

    From yusuf a, on Sun 6 Jul 12:24PM
  15. it's quite unfortunate that Yobo brother is now the victim of 'Insecurity Nightmare' facing the country, the poor masses are being terrorised and maimed everyday and all the 'Rogues' in power continue to turn blind eyes, yet they say they are governing but rather they are enriching their corrupt pocket(s).

    The truth is that all the vices in that country are associated with terrible and corrupt leadership embedded in the African continent and that's the more reason why no one could come out frankly to tell Mugabe to "drop dead" because all African leaders have skeleton in their individual cupboard (no one exempted).

    The Yobos my prayer is that your son, brother would be returned safely.

    From olayomie, on Sun 6 Jul 11:39AM
  16. it's quite unfortunate that Yobo brother is now the victim of 'Insecurity Nightmare' facing the country, the poor masses are being terrorised and maimed everyday and all the 'Rogues' in power continue to turn blind eyes, yet they say they are governing but rather they are enriching their corrupt pocket(s).

    The truth is that all the vices in that country are associated with terrible and corrupt leadership embedded in the African continent and that's the more reason why no one could come out frankly to tell Mugabe to "drop dead" because all African leaders have skeleton in their individual cupboard (no one exempted).

    The Yobos my prayer is that your son, brother would be returned savely.

    From olayomie, on Sun 6 Jul 11:38AM
  17. Terrible, Just Terrible, I hope hes found safe and well.

    From daniel_farrell2000, on Sun 6 Jul 11:29AM
  18. wat d hell is wrong wit these people,its not hard working nigerians they r suppose to be kidnapping,pls release him and let him go back 2 his family,may jesus give yobo and family d strenght to withstand this ordeal.dapo from london.

    From cool2com, on Sun 6 Jul 10:15AM
  19. I'm sure that nothing bad will happen to him.And those kidnappers should be ashamed.

    From Justin, on Sun 6 Jul 10:11AM
  20. why would such an idiot do a thick thing like they have just gone and done?

    From Jack, on Sun 6 Jul 9:42AM
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account