John Mikel Obi was called four hours before Nigeria’s most crucial game against Argentina that his father had been kidnapped – what sort of a country is this?

We keep complaining of poor leadership but it truly stems from the people – where is the empathy?

I imagine he must have felt sad and worried about his father’s wellbeing and then weak and deflated for the sort of country he was representing, a country that lacks any true reward system.

It is frankly disheartening and I am livid by the way some of our compatriots think.

Pa Michael Obi’s abductors asked for a N10 Million ransom after he was captured at the Makurdi-Enugu expressway along with his driver while he was heading to a funeral in Jos on June 26.

The security operatives acted promptly and rescued Elder Obi after a gun battle with his abductors. It was also revealed that he was tortured by his abductors and he is receiving treatment.

This is not the first time Mikel’s father has been abducted. In 2011, during his time at Chelsea, his father was abducted for 10 days.

Mikel showed tremendous character and strength to play the crucial game and keep his silence, so as not to distract the team’s preparation as well to protect his father’s life after his abductors threatened to shoot him instantly if word got out.

Speaking with the UK Guardian, Mikel said, “I was confused. I did not know what to do, but in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down.

“I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody.

“And I did not want to discuss it with the coach because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to the coach or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game. So as much as I wanted to discuss it with the coach, I could not do it.”

Mikel was well in his right not to represent Nigeria or even retire from International Football after the country has left a sour taste in his life and that of his family.

He was within his right to throw in the towel on the country, but he rose strong and high to represent the same country who citizens let him and his family down.

A post shared by Mikel Obi (@mikel_john_obi) on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:43am PDT

Perhaps it is time for Mikel Obi to move his father to somewhere safe without constant threat to his life.