Brother of Nigerian soccer star held at gunpoint

Jul 5, 2008 - 8:50 PM PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Ticker) -- Gunmen have kidnapped the older brother of Everton and Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo as he made his way home from a nightclub.

Norum Yobo was one of three men taken from their car at gunpoint in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Barry C Lakara and Ifeanyi Nwa have been released, but Norum Yobo is still being held, likely because of his brother's high profile.

The kidnapping took place in the B-Line area of Port Harcourt at around 4 a.m. Saturday morning after the trio had attended the Illussion Nite Club. No group has claimed responsibility.

Details of the incident have been confirmed by Cyril Dumite, deputy chairman of the People's Democratic Party, the ruling party in Rivers State.

The kidnapping came on the same day Ocean Boys Football Club, from Rivers State, won the Nigerian FA Cup.

Ocean Boys will go on to play in the CAF Confederation Cup, but the Nigerian football association is understood to be worried that Yobo's kidnapping will make it difficult to persuade visiting teams to play in the region.

Nigeria has seen a rise in activities - including kidnapping - by militants acting against the oil industry in the country in a bid to secure a larger share of petroleum funds.