The Nigeria Football Federation yesterday applauded the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji M. D. Abubakar and the Nigeria Police in general for the great job it deed in freeing Nigerian international player Christian Obodo from kidnappers.

The petite midfielder had been abducted on Saturday, according to reports, in Warri, Delta State and his family was contacted to pay some money for him to regain freedom. Only on Sunday afternoon, the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari appealed on the kidnappers to set free the player who has represented the nation patriotically and with passion.

News spread on Sunday night that the police had tracked down the abductors and set Obodo free, and it was a story that gave Maigari joy.

"We are very happy with this development. It was the first time that a Nigerian player had been kidnapped and honestly, we feared the worst. But I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji M. D. Abubakar and the generality of the Nigeria Police for the marvelous job done to set the player free, " Maigari said.

Obodo played for Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt six years ago, among several other international caps for the Senior National Team, Super Eagles. He is currently playing his club football for Udinese FC in Italy, though he spent last year on loan with Lecce.