Norum Yobo was snatched from his car at gunpoint along with two other men in the early hours of Saturday morning as he made his way home from a nightclub in Port Harcourt.

The two other men, identified as Barry C Lakara and Ifeanyi Nwa, have since been released but Yobo is still being held, it is thought because of his brother's high profile

Kidnappings are not uncommon in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of the country, with militants acting against the oil industry in an attempt to secure a larger share of petroleum funds.

However Ogbonna Nwuke, the chief press secretary of the Rivers State government, has urged everyone involved to be patient, saying it will only be a matter of time before the victim is released.

"Sometimes, some of these people do these things to get attention and maybe a little money," Nwuke told KickOffNigeria.com. "But we believe that in time, he will be released unharmed. We just need to be patient."

The kidnapping took place in the D-Line area of the city at around 4am on Saturday morning after the trio had attended the Illussion Nite Club.

No group has claimed responsibility, but Nwuke revealed that the situation was being dealt with by his government.

He said: "It is not just because of the person involved. The Rivers State government places a high value on the lives of its citizens and all those who live in the state, and I can assure you that everything possible is being done to ensure that the young man is returned."

Nwuke also revealed that the Yobos are involved in community work with the Niger Delta Development Commission and they were last seen during the past week.

"The last time Yobo and his brother were seen together was in Warri last week where he was speaking to Niger Delta youths to turn their energies into doing more productive things, so is particularly sad that this has happened," he added.