Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The reported abduction of billionaire businessman Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group and father of social media personality Jowizaza, has thrown his Ekwulobia community in Anambra State into mourning and prompted the unprecedented postponement of the community's annual New Yam Festival. Ezeokafor, a prominent son of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area, was allegedly kidnapped last week while praying alone on a mountain in Awka, the Anambra State capital, without his usual security details and police personnel attached to him.
The reported incident came to public attention through a Facebook post on Sunday, August 9, 2026, by lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, who disclosed that Ezeokafor had gone to the mountain alone for overnight prayers—a practice the billionaire businessman had reportedly engaged in for years. According to Iwuchukwu, unidentified gunmen seized the businessman during the prayer session and took him to an undisclosed location. "Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, a Nigerian billionaire businessman, the founder of Jezco Oil and the Jezco Group, who is also the father of Nigerian Instagram celebrity Jowizaza, was reportedly kidnapped last week from a bush in Awka, in Anambra State," Iwuchukwu wrote. "In the course of the fervent prayers and his vulnerability, he was picked up by unknown gunmen who took him away to an unknown location."
The abduction has sent shockwaves through Ekwulobia, Ezeokafor's hometown, where he is regarded as one of the community's most illustrious sons and its wealthiest citizen. Sources in the community confirmed that the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, His Royal Majesty Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, has officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, which had been scheduled for September 4, 2026. "The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers," a community source told Daily Post. According to Iwuchukwu, the postponement is unprecedented, as the community had never previously suspended the festival.
The circumstances surrounding the reported abduction remain unclear. As of the time of this report, there has been no publicly available detailed statement from the Anambra State Police Command confirming the incident, and no official confirmation from the Anambra State Government or Ezeokafor's family has been issued. The identity of the suspected kidnappers has not been established, and the businessman's current whereabouts have not been confirmed. It is also unclear whether the kidnappers have established contact with Ezeokafor's family or whether a ransom has been demanded.
Ezeokafor is the founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group and is regarded as one of the prominent businessmen from Ekwulobia. His son, Jowizaza, has gained significant attention on social media for his lavish lifestyle and high-profile public appearances, making the reported abduction of his father a matter of widespread public interest. The incident comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in parts of South-East Nigeria, where abductions of prominent individuals for ransom have become increasingly common.
For now, residents of Ekwulobia and Ezeokafor's relatives are anxiously awaiting further information on his whereabouts and efforts to secure his safe return. Security agencies are expected to provide clarification on the reported incident and any steps being taken to locate the businessman. Until such confirmation is issued, the available details remain based principally on the account provided by lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu and unconfirmed community reports.
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