Ecuardorian footballer ‘hides under bed’ as his wife and child kidnapped in terrifying home invasion | OneFootball

An Ecuadorian footballer’s wife and child were kidnapped when men broke into their home in search for the player, who resorted to hiding under his bed to save himself.

The kidnappings at the residence of Emelec defender Jackson Rodriguez took place around 3am local time in the coastal city of Guayaquil, police chief Edison Rodriguez said.

In his testimony to police, the 26-year-old full-back said he hid under a bed when he heard the front door being broken down, as per the police chief.

The perpetrators took Rodriguez's wife and child after asking the woman if the player was at home.

The incident occurred amid a state of emergency declared 10 days ago by the government in nine areas of the country, including the province of Guayas, to which Guayaquil belongs. The measure allows the mobilization of security forces in those territories to combat the operations of organized crime groups, which authorities blame for the wave of violence.

Insecurity and crime have plagued Ecuador for four years, with an increase in the first few months of the year, according to the government. Between January and March, 2,345 violent deaths were reported, 742 of which occurred in Guayaquil, located 270 kilometers southwest of the capital Quito.

The port city is considered one of the most dangerous areas in the country. From those ports, illegal drug shipments are sent to Europe, Central America, and the United States, according to authorities.

Other athletes have been targeted in the past. In December 2024, soccer player Pedro Perlaza, who played for Liga de Quito also was kidnapped in Esmeraldas, a city located 182 kilometers northwest of Quito, and rescued alive a few days later.