By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The abductors of Anambra businessman and oil magnate, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, popularly known as Jezco Oil, have abruptly stopped communicating with his family shortly after increasing the amount of ransom demanded for his release to the tune of ₦1.5 billion, despite the family expressing willingness to pay the demanded amount.
The latest development, which came to the public space on July has heightened concerns over the whereabouts and safety of the 72-year-old businessman, who was reportedly abducted in Awka after leaving his residence alone at night prayer at a Catholic retreat centre in Ifite Awka.
According to an update attributed to Fred Chukwuelobe, an aide to former Anambra State Governor, Chris Ngige, the kidnappers initially contacted the family and demanded N700 million as ransom.
The family was said to have accepted the initial demand and indicated its readiness to pay the amount in an effort to secure Ezeokafor’s immediate release.
It was, however, gathered that the abductors later raised the ransom demand to N1.5 billion, a development which reportedly did not deter the family from seeking his safe return, as they were also said to have agreed to meet the new demand.
The situation reportedly became more disturbing and worrisome after the kidnappers abruptly stopped having any further communication with the family, leaving them without a clear indication of the current situation of the businessman, as well as when or how he would be released.
The latest development and termination of contacts by the kidnappers consequently fuels more concerns about the present condition of the businessman, particularly as his prolonged captivity continues.
Ezeokafor, the Founder of Jezco Oil, is also widely known as the father of businessman and socialite, Joseph Ezeokafor Jnr., popularly known as Jowi Zaza, who is involved in the family’s business interests.
According to Chukwulobe, in the piece titled, “When Faith Meets Reality: The Kidnapping of Chief Joseph Ezeokafor” the Jezco Oil Boss was abducted after travelling to the retreat centre in the early hours of the morning (at about 2.am) to pray. Reports surrounding the incident had indicated that he went without his usual security aides at the time.
Since then, his disappearance has continued to attract concerns and pose as a source of worry to his family, associates, community members and others, with calls for intensified efforts to secure his safe release.
As a way to express their concerns and worry; Chief Ezeokafor’s kidnap and prolonged captivity also made the Ekwulọbịa Community where he comes from to suspend their already scheduled 2026 New Yam Festival.
As of the time of this publication, the circumstances surrounding the reported abduction and the whereabouts of the businessman remain a matter of serious concern, as his people and Ndị Anambra continue to hope for the safe return of one of the state’s noblest personalities and business mogul.
