The father of British and Nigerian football player Mikel John Obi is missing in his homeland, Nigeria, and there are fears he has been kidnapped.

Michael Obi, who runs a transport company, was last seen Friday in the city of Jos in Nigeria's Plateau State.

Representatives for the Chelsea football star say the senior Obi was abducted, but that no ransom demand has been received.

It says Mikel was informed of his father's disappearance on Saturday, but went on to play in his team's match the following day.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria, but abductors usually target oil executives and workers in the country's restive south.

In 2008, the brother of another British Premier League player, Joseph Yobo, was abducted in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt. He was released days later. It is not clear if a ransom was paid.