ANXIETY was increasing last night as Everton defender Joseph Yobo’s brother entered his fourth day in captivity in the Niger Delta.

Norum Yobo was kidnapped at gunpoint after leaving a late-night party on Saturday morning.

Demands are usually made between eight and 24 hours after the kidnap, but the militants responsible haveso far not made any public demands. Norum, Joseph’s older brother, was seized by gunmen at a hotel in Port Harcourt in the country’s Rivers State province.

Charles Dickson, editor of the Abuja-based Leadership newspaper, said: “It is not clear why they have him because normally they would make demands by now.

“Joseph is taking it in his stride and he is hoping to make headway and talk to a member of the group. There’s a lot of anxiety about what these people want. They are just hoping he is still alive.”

As no ransom demand appears to have been made, money may not be the sole motive for the snatch, Mr Dickson added.

He said the kidnap could be revenge or punishment against either Norum or Joseph.

It remains unclear which militant group has taken Norum.

Nigerian authorities say they are doing everything they can to work towards his release.

Everton FC’s spokesperson, Ian Ross, said last night he had heard nothing from the country.

He added: “We have had regular contact with Joseph.

“If he wants some help, he will get it from us. At the moment, he is trying to sort things out with the Nigerian police.”