Peter Odemwingie senior, the father of Nigeria international star, Osaze Odemwingie, had a close brush with death on Tuesday when the car he was driving in was shot at by people suspected to be hired assassins.

According to the Business Day newspaper, Odemwingie senior was on his way home in Benin City, southern Nigeria, when his car was fired at repeatedly.

However, a family member, Donald Odemwingie, told the newspaper that the Peter, once the team doctor of top Nigerian club Insurance of Benin, escaped unhurt as police appeared at the scene of the incident almost immediately.

He also stated that the police are investigating the incident, while the player's father is resting at home after what he believes was an assassination attempt.

Last year, the brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped but later released unharmed in the southern city of Port Harcourt.