Pacesetter Queens Break Silence on Abduction of Released Midfielder Ihotu John

IBADAN — Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) side, Pacesetter Queens, have officially addressed the harrowing news of the abduction of their former midfielder, Ihotu John, emphasizing that their commitment to her safety transcends her recent professional exit from the club.

The Ibadan-based outfit broke their silence on Tuesday via a formal statement, confirming that Ihotu was among the passengers intercepted by gunmen along the Benin Expressway last Friday.

While the club clarified that Ihotu was part of a group of players—including Adegbite Bukola and Oladunjoye Omotolani—officially released last Thursday following the end of the first half of the season, they were quick to dismiss any notion that her departure ended their responsibility toward her.

“For clarity and the avoidance of doubt, these individuals are not presently under the contractual structure of Pacesetter Queens Football Club,” the statement read. “However, beyond contracts and registrations are human lives, and that is where our deepest concern lies.”

The club’s management described receiving the news with “heavy hearts,” insisting that the midfielder remains “forever connected” to the Pacesetter family.

Addressing the public’s concern, the club revealed they have already “activated appropriate channels” to assist security agencies.

“The moment the information reached us, the club immediately engaged relevant authorities to support ongoing efforts aimed at securing her safe release,” the statement continued. “Football unites us on the pitch, but compassion binds us beyond it.”

The silence-breaking statement comes at a critical time for the player’s family. Ihotu’s mother, Blessing John, has been thrown into a state of despair after kidnappers slashed their initial N20 million demand to N10 million, accompanied by a gruesome threat to kill the player if the sum is not met.

Ihotu had been traveling to Asaba to stay with relatives after informing her mother of her disengagement from the Ibadan club. She was reportedly in the middle of her journey when the vehicle was attacked, leaving her phone behind as a sole link to her family.