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Soccer star's kidnapped father found

KANO, Nigeria, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Two soldiers in the Nigerian Army were being held Tuesday on suspicion of complicity in the kidnapping of soccer star John Mikel Obi's father.

Suspects arrested Monday in Kano, where Michael Obi was found unharmed, named the non-commissioned officers, The Nation reported. A military spokesman said the two men, a lance corporal and sergeant, were picked up late Monday for questioning.

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Five people arrested earlier Monday, including a woman, were wearing military uniforms and driving a vehicle painted to look like one belonging to the Army.

Michael Obi disappeared Aug. 12 in Jos, where his car was found last week, Leadership Newspapers reported.

Mikel Obi, a Chelsea midfielder, continued to play after the kidnapping in spite of what his coach, Andre Villas-Boas, called a "pretty traumatic situation."

"He has shown amazing mental toughness," Villas-Boas told the British newspaper The Guardian last week. "I wouldn't like to go into private conversations we've had."

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