Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Chief Sir Joseph Ebere Ezeokafor, the septuagenarian chairman of Jezco Group of Companies and father of social media personality Jowizaza, has regained his freedom after spending several harrowing days in the custody of his abductors. The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the release of Ezeokafor and a Reverend Sister, who were abducted by armed men at Ifite-Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. According to the police, the two victims have safely returned, while security agencies are taking steps to establish the circumstances surrounding their release and gather information that could assist ongoing investigations. The businessman was released late on Friday night and subsequently picked up by a family member near the boundary between Anambra and Enugu states, close to Ebenebe, near Awka.
Ezeokafor, a septuagenarian businessman and founder of Jezco Oil and Lubricants, which he established in 1980 and subsequently expanded into other areas of manufacturing and business, was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday, August 4, 2026, while reportedly on his way to a prayer ground in Awka, Anambra State. His abduction had generated widespread concern across Anambra State and beyond, with security agencies coming under immense pressure to secure his release. The development also came amid reports that the abductors had established contact with Ezeokafor's family and initially demanded N700 million in ransom before allegedly raising the demand to N1.5 billion. It was not immediately clear whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances surrounding the victim's release, though a close family source claimed that the family paid N1.5 billion to secure his freedom.
A close family member, who confirmed the development, said the family was "understandably ecstatic" over his release. "Thank God, the septuagenarian is free at last," the source said. Another source familiar with the development said Ezeokafor was picked up by a family member in Ebenebe, describing the area as an emerging kidnapping location in the axis, alleging that several abductions had either occurred there, adding that some victims abducted elsewhere were also taken to the place. The businessman's abduction had sparked widespread concern among his family, friends, associates and residents of Anambra State, with his abductors reportedly establishing contact with his family during his captivity and initially demanding a ransom of N700 million, before allegedly increasing the demand to N1.5 billion.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the safe return of the victims and directed intensified intelligence-led operations and a manhunt for those responsible for the abduction. The police said the operation involves the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Agunechemba security operatives and other relevant security agencies. The Command also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in apprehending the perpetrators. Although Ikenga did not disclose whether ransom was paid, he added that the police were obtaining relevant information to assist ongoing investigations and the identification of the perpetrators.
However, a close source within the family said Ezeokafor and the reverend sister were picked up by a family member in the Ebenebe area, near the Anambra-Enugu state border, which was said to be the new kidnapping camp in the axis, as several kidnappings have either occurred there or people kidnapped from other locations have been taken there. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had disclosed that the kidnappers established contact with the family of the businessman two days after his abduction and started making negotiations on the ransom payment. According to the source, "The family paid N1.5 billion for his release. The kidnappers initially demanded N700 million, a figure which the victim's family had accepted as part of efforts to secure their father's release. However, sensing some feelings that there may be more money, the kidnappers subsequently raised their demand to N1.5 billion, after which they stopped further engagement with the family until their release on Saturday."
The latest incident has again raised concerns about kidnapping and other violent crimes in parts of Anambra and neighbouring states. Kidnapping has remained a major security challenge in parts of the South-East, with criminals often targeting wealthy individuals, business owners, traditional rulers and other people considered capable of paying large ransoms. The situation has also led to increased calls for better cooperation between conventional security agencies and community-based security initiatives. The development has reportedly caused tension within Ezeokafor's family, with some siblings said to have traded blame over the circumstances surrounding his abduction, while his daughter, Blessing, had earlier publicly accused her younger brother, Eberechukwu (Jowizaza), of making their father a target through his flamboyant lifestyle on social media.
As the investigations continue, the people of Anambra State are left to grapple with the grim reality that even the most powerful and wealthy among them are not immune to the scourge of kidnapping. For Chief Sir Joseph Ebere Ezeokafor, the nightmare is finally over, but for his family, the emotional and financial toll of his abduction will linger long after the headlines have faded.
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