Kidnappers Double Ransom for Jowizaza’s Father to N1.5bn, Cut Communication with Family

Kidnappers Double Ransom for Jowizaza’s Father to N1.5bn, Cut Communication with Family

The abductors of Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, Chairman of Jezco Group and father of socialite Jowizaza, have reportedly increased their ransom demand from ₦700 million to ₦1.5 billion, while also cutting off communication with his distraught family. The 74-year-old billionaire businessman was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday, August 5, 2026, from a Catholic prayer ground in Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, where he had gone for his annual spiritual retreat. According to reports, Ezeokafor had deliberately left his security personnel behind—a practice he maintained out of personal conviction that a holy prayer ground should not be surrounded by bodyguards. This decision reportedly made him vulnerable to the kidnappers, who allegedly swooped in while he was in the middle of prayers and took him to an unknown destination. The abduction has since plunged his family into a desperate search for answers, while the community of Ekwulobia has been thrown into mourning over the fate of their most illustrious son.

A source close to the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the abductors initially demanded ₦700 million after establishing contact with the family following the abduction. The family reportedly accepted the initial demand as part of efforts to secure Ezeokafor’s swift release, hoping that compliance would lead to his safe return. However, the kidnappers later escalated their demand to ₦1.5 billion, throwing negotiations into disarray and leaving the family scrambling to respond to the sudden increase. The situation has taken an even more troubling turn as the abductors have reportedly stopped communicating with the family altogether, leaving relatives unable to confirm the businessman’s safety or negotiate terms for his release. “The family has been willing to negotiate and do whatever is necessary to secure his release, but the kidnappers have suddenly stopped communicating,” a source close to the family disclosed, adding that efforts to re-establish contact have so far proved unsuccessful. The development has reportedly left the family in a difficult position, as attempts to restore communication with the abductors have not yielded results, and they remain in the dark about the fate of their patriarch.

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The abduction has thrown Ezeokafor’s hometown of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area into deep mourning, with residents expressing shock and grief over the incident. Lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, who first made the abduction public in a Facebook post, described Ezeokafor as the richest man from the community, noting that his influence and philanthropy had endeared him to many. In a significant show of solidarity, the community reportedly postponed its annual New Yam Festival—a celebration that had never been delayed before—because members felt it would be inappropriate to celebrate while their “illustrious son” remained in captivity. The decision to postpone the festival reflects the deep sense of loss and anxiety that has gripped the community, with residents hoping and praying for the safe return of the businessman who had given so much to the town.

As of Thursday, August 13, 2026, one week after the abduction, neither the Anambra State Government nor the State Police Command has issued an official statement on the incident, leaving the public and the family in a state of uncertainty. The Anambra State Police Command has also not publicly commented on the businessman’s abduction or efforts to secure his release, despite the growing public concern. Ezeokafor’s whereabouts remain unknown as his family continues efforts to secure his release amid the reported ransom escalation and communication breakdown, and the lack of official communication from authorities has only deepened the family’s anxiety and frustration.

Born on April 30, 1952, in Ekwulobia, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor is a self-made billionaire who founded Jezco in 1980, obtaining a full oil service and marketing license by 1988. He later expanded into manufacturing with a lubricant factory, plastic production plant, and fuel dispenser assembly line, building a business empire that has made him one of the most prominent businessmen in the Southeast. The business mogul, who lost both parents at a young age, is also known for his philanthropy, including donating ₦20 million to the Anambra State government during the COVID-19 crisis and distributing food items worth millions to his community. His first son, Joseph Ezeokafor Jr., popularly known as Jowizaza, now serves as Chief Executive Officer of the company, carrying on his father’s legacy. The family has appealed to the public not to spread unverified information about his release, stressing that they remain in the dark as they await any word on the safety and whereabouts of their patriarch, while continuing to pray for his safe return.

Kidnappers Double Ransom for Jowizaza’s Father to N1.5bn, Cut Communication with Family