Lecce and coach Serse Cosmi are in shock after Christian Obodo's kidnapping.

The midfielder was on vacation in his hometown Warri in Nigeria when he was kidnapped by armed gunmen this morning.

"The kidnappers phoned Christian's mother and asked for a ransom worth €150,000," revealed brother-in-law Obidike Okechukwu to news agency ANSA.

"Christian was on his way to church and was alone when at around 9.20am some people came and took him away."

The player is owned by Udinese, but spent this season on loan with Lecce working under Coach Cosmi.

"I'm in shock. He's like a son to me," said Cosmi. "This is awful news and I hope it can all be resolved positively."

Lecce also released a statement confirming they were "close to the player and his family in this moment of shock."