Kidnapped soccer star Obodo released in Nigeria

Abuja: Kidnapped Nigeria-born international soccer star Christian Obodo was released Sunday evening, according to a top-level security source.

Obodo was kidnapped in Delta state on Saturday. The source, however, could not disclose whether or not a ransom was paid before the Nigeria-born midfielder was freed by his captors, Xinhua reported. "I can confirm to you that the football star has reunited with his family a few hours ago," the source said. Abductors had initially demanded a ransom of 150, 000 euro (USD 188,000) , according to a family source. Obodo who was in Nigeria to visit his family was driving alone in an area called Effurun in Delta state Saturday morning when some unidentified gunmen abducted him. IANS