Kidnappers have doubled the ransom demand for abducted businessman Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, increasing it from ₦700 million to ₦1.5 billion, according to a family member. The 74-year-old billionaire, chairman of Jezco Group and father of socialite Jowizaza, was kidnapped on 5 August 2026 from a Catholic prayer ground in Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, where he had gone unaccompanied by his security team.
Ransom Demand Escalates
The new demand has heightened fears for Ezeokafor's safety and drawn attention to the growing insecurity affecting even the wealthy in Nigeria. As of 13 August 2026, neither the Anambra State government nor the State Police Headquarters has issued a statement on the kidnapping.
The abduction occurred during the early hours of Tuesday, 5 August 2026, at a prayer ground where Ezeokafor had gone alone, a practice his family describes as a monthly routine. Lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, who publicised the incident via a Facebook post on Sunday, said the businessman was in the middle of prayers when unidentified gunmen seized him and took him to an unknown destination.
Community in Shock
The incident has reportedly left many in his hometown of Ekwulobia in shock, with residents anxiously hoping for his safe return. Iwuchukwu also claimed the situation was so serious that the community decided to postpone its annual New Yam Festival, a celebration that has reportedly never been delayed before.
The family's description of the prayer trip as a monthly practice is suspected to have been studied by the abductors, who may have planned the attack based on his routine. The lack of security personnel accompanying Ezeokafor, despite having police officers attached to him, has raised questions about his vulnerability.
Authorities Silent
As of 13 August 2026, both the Anambra State government and the State Police Headquarters have yet to make a statement on the kidnapping, leaving the public and the family without official updates. The silence has added to the anxiety surrounding the case, as the community and the nation await news of the billionaire's fate.
The doubling of the ransom underscores the severity of the situation and the risks faced by high-profile individuals in the region. The family has not publicly commented on the new demand, and efforts to secure Ezeokafor's release remain unclear. The outcome of this case will likely have implications for security measures among the wealthy and for government responses to kidnapping incidents.
