Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, the billionaire founder of Jezco Oil and the Jezco Group, has been reportedly kidnapped by unidentified gunmen while praying alone on a mountain in Awka, Anambra State, according to a statement made public by lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu. The incident, which occurred last week, has thrown his hometown of Ekwulobia into mourning and led to the unprecedented postponement of its annual New Yam Festival.
Details of the Abduction
Iwuchukwu, in a Facebook post on Sunday, disclosed that Ezeokafor, who is also the father of Nigerian Instagram celebrity Jowizaza, was abducted while at a prayer ground on a mountain in Awka. The businessman reportedly went to the location alone, without his security aides or the police officers typically attached to him, a practice he had followed several times in the past.
“Apparently, the old man went to the mountain alone to pray and seek the face of God without his security details and his policemen attached to him as it has been a normal practice for the billionaire businessman in the past,” Iwuchukwu wrote. “In the course of the fervent prayers and his vulnerability, he was picked up by unknown gunmen who took him away to an unknown location.”
Community Reaction
The news of Ezeokafor's disappearance has sent shockwaves through Ekwulobia, his hometown. Residents are reportedly anxious and hoping for his safe return. The situation has become so severe that community leaders decided to postpone the annual New Yam Festival, a celebration that, according to Iwuchukwu, has never been delayed before in memory.
“The community where he comes from, Ekwulobia, has been thrown into confusion and mourning ever since the news of the abduction broke in the community,” he added. The postponement was seen as a mark of respect, as the community felt it was not appropriate to celebrate while one of its most prominent sons remained in captivity.
Police Response and Security Concerns
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Command had not officially confirmed the alleged abduction or announced any rescue operation. This lack of official confirmation has fueled public concern and speculation, especially given the growing insecurity and kidnapping incidents across Nigeria.
The reported kidnapping highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, where prominent individuals have increasingly become targets for abduction for ransom. The case of Ezeokafor, a well-known businessman, underscores the vulnerability of even the most protected figures when they are caught off guard.
Iwuchukwu's account provides a detailed narrative of the events, but until police release an official statement, the full circumstances remain unclear. The community and the family are left in a state of anxious waiting, hoping for a positive resolution.
