Nigeria international saved from kidnappers

Nigeria international Christian Obodo has been rescued from his kidnappers by police, his club confirmed today.

Obodo, who plys his trade domestically with Udinese in Italy, was taken by a group of armed men while on his way to church on Saturday morning.

The incident took place in the 28-year-old's home city of Warri, Nigeria. The kidnappers demanded a ransom for his release, but police were able to track him down before anything was paid.

A statement from Udinese read: "Thanks to his mobile phone signal, Obodo's position was identified and the police were able to act to free him without needing to pay a ransom."

The Nigeria international said after his release: "I thank God that I am free."

Obodo, who has won 21 caps for his country, is not the first football-related person to be abducted in Nigeria. John Obi Mikel's father was kidnapped in August of last year, but was eventually found alive.