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

Customs Busts International Lion Cub Smuggling Ring, Rescues Two Cubs at Abuja Airport

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted an international wildlife trafficking operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, rescuing two live lion cubs and arresting three suspects allegedly linked to the illicit trade. The operation, executed on August 4, 2026, was spearheaded by the Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the FCT Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit, FCT Command, and conservation partner Focused Conservation. The successful bust marks another significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against transnational wildlife crime and sends a clear warning to trafficking syndicates operating within the country’s borders.

Acting on actionable intelligence, Customs operatives mounted surveillance at the airport’s cargo terminal and identified a black Sport Utility Vehicle suspected to be connected to the illicit movement of the animals. According to an official report released on August 10 by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Wildlife Office, the suspects were attempting to transport the lion cubs from Kano through Abuja to Congo-Brazzaville as their final destination. The operation took a dramatic turn when a vigilant Customs intelligence operative, conducting a physical inspection of the vehicle, heard unusual animal cries coming from the rear luggage compartment. Upon opening the luggage area, officers discovered the two rare lion cubs concealed inside specially prepared crates, confirming their worst suspicions about the nature of the cargo being transported through the nation’s premier international airport.

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The discovery led to the immediate arrest of three suspects: the alleged owner of the animals, the vehicle driver, and a licensed Customs clearing agent. The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation as investigators work to identify other members of the trafficking network and establish the full scope of the cross-border operation. Mani noted that the Customs Service would continue to intensify intelligence gathering and strategic enforcement to ensure the country does not become a transit point for international wildlife trafficking. “This operation sends an unmistakable message that Nigeria will not serve as a transit hub or safe haven for wildlife trafficking syndicates,” Mani stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting endangered species and upholding international conservation agreements.

Mani emphasised the significance of the rescue, noting the declining population of lions in Nigeria and the critical importance of every individual animal in sustaining the species. “With fewer lions remaining in Nigeria’s wild, saving these cubs is not just an enforcement success; it is a critical conservation victory. Our specialised unit will continue to leverage intelligence, profile trade routes, and prosecute those who profit from the illegal trade of our endangered species,” he said. The Customs officer said the attempted export breached both Nigeria’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade in endangered wildlife and imposes strict penalties on those found guilty of trafficking protected species.

Following their rescue, the lion cubs were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for specialised veterinary care, rehabilitation, and eventual conservation management. This marks a continuation of the partnership between Nigeria Customs and conservation organisations, following similar rescues including a lion cub intercepted at the Seme Border in November 2025 and another rescued in Kano in February 2026 through Operation Lexus. These partnerships have proven essential in ensuring that rescued animals receive the professional care they need to recover from the trauma of trafficking and, where possible, be reintegrated into appropriate conservation settings.

The seizure underscores the expanding role of the Nigeria Customs Service in combating organised environmental crime, particularly illegal wildlife trafficking along Nigeria’s international transport corridors. The Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, has increasingly deployed intelligence-led enforcement measures to tackle transnational illicit trade and strengthen Nigeria’s role in protecting endangered species. This operation follows other significant wildlife seizures, including the interception of 22 elephant tusks worth over ₦126.3 million in June 2026 and the seizure of pangolin scales, ivory tusks, and other wildlife products in Adamawa/Taraba commands. These enforcement actions demonstrate Nigeria’s growing commitment to combating wildlife crime and protecting biodiversity across the country’s borders, while also signalling to the international community that Nigeria is serious about fulfilling its obligations under global conservation treaties.

Customs Busts International Lion Cub Smuggling Ring, Rescues Two Cubs at Abuja Airport

State Police Bill: Public Submissions Close Today as Nigeria Nears Historic Policing Reform

The Presidency has announced that the window for public submissions on the proposed National Policing Bill will close at 5 PM today, Thursday, August 13, 2026. Nigerians have until the deadline to contribute their views on the proposed legislation, a key component of the Federal Government’s efforts to establish state police across the country. The closure marks the end of an intensive public consultation period that has seen citizens, civil society organisations, and security experts weigh in on what could become one of the most transformative security reforms in Nigeria’s history.

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, disclosed the deadline on Wednesday and urged citizens, professionals, and stakeholders to take advantage of the final opportunity to shape the proposed framework. The public consultation, launched on August 3 alongside the nationalpolicingbill.com platform, was deliberately opened while critical decisions were still being made, allowing professional expertise and lived experiences to influence the drafting process before the executive proposal is finalised. Gbajabiamila emphasised that this was not a mere token exercise but a genuine effort to ensure that the final bill reflects the aspirations and concerns of everyday Nigerians who would be most affected by the establishment of state police.

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One of the most persistent fears surrounding the state police proposal has been the possibility of political interference, and Gbajabiamila addressed this head-on, acknowledging that state governors could misuse state-controlled police forces against political opponents, peaceful protesters, journalists, and minority communities. He emphasised that the proposed framework must contain strong protections against abuse and that the law must be designed in a way that makes it difficult for political officeholders to bend police operations to their will. “The concern that governors might use state police against political opponents, minority communities or dissenting voices is serious and must be answered in the design of the law,” Gbajabiamila stated. He stressed that the proposed law must make “unlawful orders easier to resist, misconduct easier to investigate, and political interference harder to hide,” while also ensuring that citizens have access to credible complaints and independent oversight mechanisms. Officers, he added, must be properly recruited, trained, equipped, and supervised to maintain professional standards across all state police services.

Despite the progress made on the proposed National Policing Bill, Gbajabiamila clarified that state police cannot be established immediately and that significant constitutional hurdles remain. Section 214 of the Nigerian Constitution currently provides for only one police force—the Nigeria Police Force—meaning a constitutional amendment is required before states can establish separate police services. Both chambers of the National Assembly have approved proposed constitutional amendments providing for a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, but the process is not yet complete. The amendments must complete remaining legislative stages in the National Assembly, then be approved by at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, and finally receive presidential assent. Gbajabiamila explained that “the constitutional amendment creates the authority and broad architecture for federal and state policing, but it does not by itself provide the complete operating framework,” underscoring the need for complementary legislation to fill in the operational details.

The Presidential Working Group is preparing the National Policing Bill to run alongside the constitutional amendment process, and the proposed legislation would establish national minimum standards covering a wide range of operational areas. These include recruitment, vetting, and training; remuneration, pensions, and equipment; professional conduct and discipline; use of force and complaints mechanisms; independent oversight; intelligence-sharing and cooperation between federal and state police services; and sustainable funding arrangements. The draft Executive Bill is scheduled for presentation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, as part of a seven-week work programme running from July 27 to September 14. This timeline reflects the administration’s determination to move swiftly on the reform while ensuring that all necessary safeguards are built into the legislative framework before transmission to the National Assembly.

Gbajabiamila stressed that even after the constitutional amendment and National Policing Bill become law, state police will not automatically be established across all 36 states, as each state that chooses to establish a service will still need its own enabling law, institutions, and funding. It must also meet the national conditions for operation before its officers can begin policing, ensuring that no state rushes into establishing a police force without the necessary capacity and oversight mechanisms in place. States that are not ready or willing to establish their own police services would continue to be served by the Nigeria Police Force, guaranteeing that no citizen is left without policing coverage during the transitional period.

Gbajabiamila said the reform aims to build a policing system that is “closer, faster and better informed by local conditions,” with officers familiar with a community’s language, geography, and crime patterns better positioned to gather intelligence and respond effectively to local security challenges. However, he maintained that the new system must not sacrifice citizens’ rights, cautioning that “proximity does not guarantee justice.” He insisted that the law must protect citizens regardless of who holds office, and that it must protect opposition parties, peaceful protesters, journalists, and minority communities from potential abuses of power. The consultation will complement, rather than replace, the role of the National Assembly, which retains the power to scrutinise, amend, reject, or pass the Bill when transmitted. As the 5 PM deadline approaches, Nigerians are being reminded that their voices remain essential in shaping a reform that could redefine the relationship between citizens and the security apparatus for generations to come.

State Police Bill: Public Submissions Close Today as Nigeria Nears Historic Policing Reform