By Victor Kanayo
Gunmen invaded the home of a footballer identified as Jackson Rodriguez and kidnapped his wife and son, while he hid under the bed.
Following the terrifying raid, the player, who plays for Emelec in Ecuador, has pleaded for the safe return of his family.
The 26-year-old defender said he hid under a bed as the men ransacked the property, located in the Mucho Lote 2 neighbourhood.
Police chief Edison Rodriguez confirmed that the footballer’s wife and five-year-old son were taken during the raid, The Sun reports.
A state of emergency was declared last week by the Ecuadorian government in nine areas of the country.
This includes the province of Guayas, where Guayaquil is situated, as organised crime groups have wreaked havoc across the country, with 2,345 violent deaths reported between January and March, according to ESPN.
Rodriguez, a talented full-back, has played nine times for Emelec this season. His club competes in the LigaPro, the highest tier in the country, and currently sit 11th in the table.
