Kidnappers who abducted the Chairman of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly demanded N1.5 billion for his release.
Ezeokafor, a septuagenarian businessman, was reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in Anambra State.
According to a source familiar with the development, the abductors initially demanded N700 million from the businessman’s family after establishing contact with them.
The family was reportedly willing to negotiate with the kidnappers and had accepted the initial demand as part of efforts to secure Ezeokafor’s safe release.
However, the abductors allegedly later increased their demand to N1.5 billion.
The source said the family remained ready to negotiate but that the kidnappers had subsequently stopped communicating with them.
The development has reportedly left the businessman’s relatives in distress, with efforts to restore communication with the abductors said to have yielded no result.
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Ezeokafor was reportedly abducted at about 2am while leaving his residence for a prayer ground for his annual spiritual rejuvenation.
He was said to have left his security personnel behind when he stepped out, a situation that allegedly gave the kidnappers an opportunity to abduct him.
The incident has generated concern among the businessman’s family, associates and members of the community.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Command had reportedly not issued an official statement on the abduction.
The family is said to be hoping that communication with the kidnappers will resume and that the businessman will be released safely.
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