Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The family of Anambra billionaire businessman Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor is trapped in a nightmare of agonising uncertainty as kidnappers holding the septuagenarian Jezco Group chairman have more than doubled their ransom demand from N700 million to N1.5 billion and abruptly cut off all communication, leaving relatives desperate and authorities conspicuously silent a full week after his abduction. Ezeokafor, the founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group and father of Instagram celebrity Jowizaza, was snatched in the early hours of Tuesday, August 5, 2026, when he left his home in Awka, Anambra State, without his security details to attend a prayer ground for his annual spiritual rejuvenation. The kidnappers struck at about 2 a.m., exploiting the businessman's vulnerability on the isolated mountain where he had gone to pray alone.
According to a source close to the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the abductors established contact with the family shortly after the abduction and initially demanded N700 million. Desperate to secure the release of their patriarch, the family reportedly accepted the figure as part of efforts to negotiate his safe return. However, in a cruel twist that has deepened their anguish, the kidnappers subsequently raised their demand to N1.5 billion and have since stopped all communication with the family. "The family has been willing to negotiate and do whatever is necessary to secure his release, but the kidnappers have suddenly stopped communicating," the source told Tribune Online. Efforts to reopen contact with the abductors have reportedly failed, leaving the family in a state of heightened anxiety and helplessness.
The circumstances of Ezeokafor's abduction have raised troubling questions about security in Anambra State, particularly for high-profile individuals. The billionaire businessman, who is also the father of social media personality Jowizaza, was known to observe secluded prayer sessions on a mountain in Awka as part of his annual spiritual retreat. On the fateful morning, he reportedly left his home without his security personnel, a decision that gave the kidnappers easy access to him. According to Daily Post, he was kidnapped at about 2 a.m. when he stepped out of his house for the prayer ground, leaving his security details behind. The abduction occurred at Ifite Awka, where he had gone to offer prayers, according to reports from Tribune Online and Arise TV.
The kidnappers' decision to double the ransom demand and cut off contact has heightened fears for the safety of the 70‑year‑old businessman. A source close to the family told The Guardian that the family had agreed to the initial N700 million demand but was blindsided by the subsequent increase. "The family is said to have remained open to negotiations, but the abductors have reportedly stopped communicating with them," the source said. "The communication breakdown has reportedly complicated efforts by the family to establish contact with the kidnappers and ascertain Ezeokafor's condition." The silence from the abductors has also raised concerns that the kidnappers may be applying pressure or that something may have gone wrong.
Despite the gravity of the incident, the Anambra State Police Command and state government authorities have remained conspicuously silent. More than a week after the abduction, no official statement has been issued by the police, and there has been no public indication of any rescue operation or investigation. The lack of official communication has left the family and the public in the dark, fueling speculation and anxiety. The Anambra State Police Command has yet to make any official statement on the incident, according to multiple reports.
The abduction has sent shockwaves through Ekwulobia, Ezeokafor's hometown in Aguata Local Government Area, where he is regarded as one of the community's most illustrious sons. In a rare and symbolic gesture, the community's traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, which had been scheduled for September 4, 2026, as a mark of respect and solidarity with the family. "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 earlier. The cancellation of the festival, an unprecedented move, underscores the depth of concern and the collective grief gripping the community.
Ezeokafor's abduction is the latest in a series of high-profile kidnappings that have plagued Anambra State and the South-East region, raising urgent questions about the capacity of security agencies to protect citizens and bring perpetrators to justice. The businessman's abduction, coming just months after other prominent figures were targeted, has exposed the vulnerability of even the wealthiest and most influential members of society. The kidnappers' ability to operate with impunity, demand staggering ransoms, and cut off communication without consequence has deepened public distrust in the security apparatus.
For the family of Joseph Ezeokafor, the past week has been a harrowing ordeal of waiting, negotiating, and hoping against hope. The initial acceptance of the N700 million ransom demand reflected their willingness to do whatever it took to bring their father home. The subsequent increase to N1.5 billion and the abrupt cessation of communication have pushed them into a state of despair, with no clear path forward. The silence from the police and state authorities has only added to their torment, leaving them to navigate the crisis alone.
As the days pass, the fate of the Jezco Group chairman hangs in the balance. The kidnappers have made their demands clear, but their refusal to communicate has made it impossible for the family to negotiate or even ascertain whether Ezeokafor is still alive. The community that once celebrated his success now mourns his absence, and the traditional ruler who suspended the New Yam Festival has made it clear that the celebration of life cannot proceed while one of its own is held captive.
The abduction of Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor is a stark reminder of the growing insecurity in Nigeria's South-East, where criminals have increasingly targeted wealthy individuals for ransom. The silence of the authorities, the audacity of the kidnappers, and the desperation of the family paint a grim picture of a region where the rule of law is under siege. Until the security agencies act decisively, and until the kidnappers are brought to justice, the people of Anambra State will continue to live in fear, knowing that no one is beyond the reach of those who prey on the vulnerable.
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