I was to be shot – Obodo tells his kidnap story

On June 12, 2012 · In Sports

 

 

 

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE
 
Hours after Christian Ogbodo regained his freedom from his abductors, he confirmed Vanguard’s story that his abduction was facilitated by a friend he was yet to identify.
The news of the kidnap of the Udinese of Italy player last Saturday spread to many countries and a disgusted and angry Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, swung into action, directing security agencies to ensure the Nigerian player was released unhurt.

Obodo

Uduaghan was said to have worked in close liaison with security agencies and yesterday Obodo said “I don’t know what the situation could have been like if the Governor did not intervene.
I don’t know how to thank him and the security men who ensured I regained my freedom. I’m grateful.”Obdo spoke on phone.
He was with the chairman of DeltaStatesports commission, Amaju Pinnick who said that “Obodo will be presented to the governor tomorrow (today) where he will thank him for his concern and effort.”
Obodo said the following about the abductors and his eventual escape:“About five people holding guns seized me as I was stepping out of my car in front of my church in Effurun.
They immediately covered my face and drove off. I didn’t know where we were. They drove quite some long distance and we ended up somewhere I didn’t know. All I knew was that we were in a forest. But they did not hurt me. They gave me good food and in the night they brought mosquito net.
They were also killing some mosquitoes perching on the net. They told me that somebody I had been helping, somebody close to me told them about me and set me up.
I was with them from Saturday till Sunday night. At a time they removed the blindfold material and I noticed that I had been left with one person with a gun. Later, he ordered that we walk out and we started walking in the bush trying to come to the road. We got to a path and he warned me that if a car was coming we should dash into the bush.
It was already dark. We walked some distance and got to a place where we met a few of their men and I sensed that there was confusion.
I think security men had been tracking them and some, I later understood, had been arrested. It was apparently because of this that one person said that they should shoot me. But the guy with the gun had hidden it in a bag when we started trekking out of the bush.
At a time I was allowed to escape and I just started running. I didn’t know where I was. I saw some people in that village and I told them who I was and they started shouting Obodo, Obodo. Some recognized me and started hailing my name, telling me that the story of my kidnap has been on radio, television and the newspapers.
I was told I was in Isoko.  Security men later traced me and rescued me. I thank God that I’m alive. I heard about all the efforts to rescue me during those hours of trauma.
I thank Governor Uduahgan and the security men. Warri has been a home to me and will continue to be my home. God is merciful”, added Obodo.

SOURCE:  12 June 2012.