Udinese midfielder Christian Obodo was successfully rescued from kidnappers by Nigerian police on Saturday night, after a 24-hour ordeal in Delta State.
Nigeria international Obodo, 28, was kidnapped by a group of armed men in his hometown of Warri on Saturday, while travelling to church. The kidnappers then demanded a £121,000 ransom for his release.
No money was paid, though, as the police rescued Obodo from nearby Isoko the following day, with Delta State governor Emmanuel Uguaghan having ordered his rescue within 48 hours.
A club statement read: "Thanks to his mobile phone signal, Obodo's position was identified and the police were able to act to free him without needing to pay a ransom.''
Obodo said after his release: "I thank God that I am free.''
The Udinese midfielder, who played on loan at Lecce last season, has spent his entire career in Italy, having also played for Perugia, Fiorentina and Torino. He has won 21 caps for Nigeria, scoring four times on Super Eagles duty.
