Nigerian billionaire businessman and founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group, Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, has reportedly been kidnapped in Anambra State.
Newsonspot gathered that Ezeokafor, who is also the father of Nigerian social media personality Jowizaza, was allegedly abducted while praying alone on a mountain in Awka, the state capital.
The incident was made public on Sunday by lawyer Chukwudi Iwuchukwu in a social media post, according to Daily Post.
Iwuchukwu alleged that the businessman had gone to the mountain for prayers without his usual security personnel and police officers attached to him.
He claimed that unidentified gunmen took Ezeokafor away during the prayer session and moved him to an undisclosed location.
Since then, his family and associates have reportedly been left without clear information about his whereabouts.
The reported incident has also caused concern in Ekwulobia, Anambra State, where Ezeokafor hails from.
According to the lawyer, the community took the unusual decision to postpone its annual New Yam Festival following the reported abduction.
The festival had reportedly never been postponed before, but community members decided against proceeding with the celebration while the businessman’s family was dealing with the crisis.
Ezeokafor is regarded as one of the prominent businessmen from Ekwulobia and has built interests in the oil and business sectors through Jezco Oil and Jezco Group.
However, details surrounding the reported kidnapping remain unclear, including the identity of the suspected kidnappers and the businessman’s current whereabouts.
There was also no confirmed information at the time of the report on whether the alleged kidnappers had contacted the family or demanded a ransom.
Security agencies and local authorities have faced calls to intensify efforts to secure Ezeokafor’s safe release, although official details concerning rescue efforts or ransom demands remain limited.
No official statement from the Anambra State Government, the police or Ezeokafor’s family was contained in the account alleging the abduction.
The businessman’s family and community are expected to continue efforts to establish his whereabouts and secure his safe release.
