- John Obi Mikel's father abducted in Nigeria where he runs a transport company
- Chelsea midfielder heard the news just before their game at Stoke Sunday
- No ransom demand has so far been sent to the family
(CNN) -- The father of Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been abducted in his native Nigeria.
Michael Obi, who runs a transport company in Jos, the main city in Plateau State in central Nigeria, has not been seen or heard of since he failed to return home from work last Friday.
Obi Mikel was told of the problem just before the start of Chelsea's Premier League match at Stoke Sunday which finished goalless.
His management company Sport Entertainment and Media Group (SEM) issued a statement Monday.
"SEM confirms that client John Obi Mikel's father was abducted in Nigeria on Friday, August 10.
--SEM statement
"Thus far no ransom (demand) has been received. Mikel was informed by his manager prior to the Stoke v Chelsea match and decided to play so as not to let down his team and family."
Chelsea have given Mikel their support in a statement on their official website.
"Everyone at Chelsea Football Club was very concerned to hear that John Mikel Obi's father has been reported as missing and possibly abducted.
"We will give Mikel and his family our full support at this most difficult time."
Mikel's plight is similar to that of fellow Nigerian international, the Everton defender Joseph Yobo, whose elder brother was kidnapped in Port Harcourt in 2008.
Nornu Yobo was released after 10 days, but it was unclear if any financial demands had been met.
Obi Mikel has been at Chelsea since 2006 and helped them to the EPL and FA Cup double in the 2009-10 season. He has played 30 times for the Nigeria.
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